Students serving after college get different view of 'real world' after graduation

By Katelyn Sloane
Collegian Reporter
September 20, 2006

La Salle has always prided itself on being service oriented. The University offers a plethora of organizations to appeal to the wide variety of students it educates. Homeless Outreach, Neighbor to Neighbor, Soup Kitchen, Circle K, Neighborhood tutoring, and Habitat for Humanity are only a handful of the service opportunities available.

In addition, at the conclusion of the year there are four service projects students may participate in: Habitat for Humanity, Project Appalachia, Los Ninos, and Project Mapendo. These service projects are week-long commitments, and occur upon the completion of the school year.

“La Salle offers so many service-oriented activities that allow you to learn about other cultures and help others while in school,” sophomore Melissa Palfy said.

What happens after graduation, though? Students are educated for 18 years, and then thrown out into the world and told to get a job. Well, what if they aren’t ready? What if they are looking to take a few years off? Are there volunteer opportunities for college graduates? The answer is yes. It’s called service learning

What makes La Salle students so different is their passion for service after graduation and beyond. Instead of jumping right into a full-time job, some students are eager to help people from all over.

Eddie Mahon, a 2005 La Salle alumnus, applied to the Jesuit Volunteer Corporation during his senior year at La Salle.

“I was torn between the La Sallian Volunteers Corps and the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). What made my decision was teaching. La Salle Volunteers taught mainly, and I wanted something different,” he said.

The JVC is dedicated to the practice of simplicity, spirituality, community and social justice.

On August 2, 2005, Mahon and five other volunteers traveled to Tacoma, Wash., where they each participated in various aspects of social work. Mahon worked at Nativity House, a drop-in shelter for the homeless population of Tacoma.

It was Chen, however, who guided Bollerman with his expertise outside of the classroom.

“The problem with the conditions of the homeless in Tacoma was there were enough places to eat, but not for people to live,” Mahon said. “Lots of people slept in tents.”

Nativity House serves two meals a day to whomever comes in.

“It also just provides someone to hang out with the people. That was basically my job,” Mahon said.

He spent his days in Tacoma preparing meals, playing chess, listening to people’s stories, organizing activities for the house’s annual picnic, giving toiletries and clothes to the homeless and various other acts of kindness.

“We gave out bus tickets to people with job interviews or doctor’s appointments,” he said. “I was even a best man in a wedding. The important thing was ministry of presence. We were there for the people’s needs, whatever those needs happened to be.”

He remained in Washington for a year, through August 2006, helping the homeless through his ministry of presence.

“It was hard at times, but I loved every minute of it,” he said.

If you are interested in doing something like Mahon, University and Ministry Services (UMAS) presents the Long-Term Volunteer Fair on Wednesday, Nov. 15. The time is to be announced.

Make a difference in other people’s lives by reaching out to people all over, just as Mahon did with the people who live Washington.  

sloanek1@lasalle.edu