Local Assumption students spend spring break volunteering on one of college’s service trips

WORCESTER — The Assumption College Office of Campus Ministry has announced that 63 students spent spring break volunteering on one of the College's SEND Service Immersion Trips. Local students include:

Katelin Riley, of Bellingham, and Cameron Furtado, of North Smithfield, volunteered in Baltimore where students spent the week rehabbing houses in West Baltimore neighborhoods of the city with Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake. Students also had the opportunity to serve at the Catholic Charities organization, Jenkins Community Center, which, according to the website, is Maryland's first senior community to offer options to low and moderate income individuals for independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing care, rehabilitation, and medical day care. In addition to the volunteer aspects of the trip, students learned about Catholic Social teaching from Catholic Charities organizations and visited many cultural destinations in Baltimore.

Adam Duval, of Franklin, volunteered in Delaware. In Georgetown, a group of students spent the week building homes for Habitat for Humanity (HFH) of Sussex County. According to the website, HFH Sussex County is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Their ministry was founded on the conviction that every man, woman, and child should have a simple, decent place to live in dignity and safety.

Samantha Smith, of Woonsocket, volunteered in Norristown, Pennsylvania, as students spent the break rebuilding homes for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County. Students also shared meals, prayers, and stories with the Religions of the Assumption sisters in Philadelphia, as well as spent time working with the Catholic Charities of Norristown Food Pantry, which is dedicated to helping community members in need of food assistance.

Uxbridge’s Melissa Taylor volunteered in Trenton, New Jersey, where students participated in a retreat facilitated by an organization called FaithJustice. Students served at a social justice education center, which, according to their website, provides a transformative experience of faith in action, builds community, serves those in need, educates for justice, and empowers people to change the world. They also spent time helping strengthen the local community by volunteering at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen; Visitation Home, a faith-based community dedicated to helping disabled adults; Carolyn Stokes Preschool; and UIH Family Partners, an organization that empowers fathers.