By Jenna Kersten '17
Thanks in large part to Siena’s Catholic and Franciscan tradition, taking the time to make a positive contribution to society is a significant aspect of what makes this College community so special. One of the most popular ways students get involved with serving the Albany community is through Community Service Day.
Sponsored by the Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy, Community Service Day happens once a semester. Students are treated on an early Saturday morning to a breakfast before they are sent off to volunteer sites throughout the city with a t-shirt and a prayer. They spend the morning and early afternoon at organizations like the Capital City Rescue Mission, Camp Scully, the Sunnyside Center daycare and St. Joseph’s House.
“What stood out to me was seeing how many different sites we had this year,” said psychology major Mary Amoroso ’16. “I didn’t realize how much our community could use the help.”
Student volunteers may do a variety of tasks while at these various locations. Mathematics major Ellen Sharkey ’17 and biology major Sarah Wunderlich ’17 went to the Capital City Rescue Mission, a local organization that provides food, shelter, healthcare and other services for the homeless in downtown Albany. There, they served the guests lunch and made sure that their needs were taken care of.
“I really learned how to see someone, understand who they are and what their life is like, and possibly add a little joy to their day,” said Sharkey.
Wunderlich agreed. “This experience reminded me a lot of St. Francis. It is important to embrace all types of people. I think this is what it means to live in the Franciscan tradition,” she said.
Many students, including English major Julia Prendergast ’16, participate in Community Service Day with clubs or groups of friends. “One of the best parts of this service experience was getting to help the community alongside my friends,” Prendergast said. “It was a different way for us to hang out, and definitely a rewarding experience that brought us closer together as a group.”
Many of the student volunteers have been inspired to continue to serve their communities, both here in the Albany area and at home. “I learned that it is incredibly easy to get out and do something meaningful for others,” Prendergast said. “Serving the community is something I absolutely want to keep doing.”
Click here to learn more about service opportunities offered through Siena’s Franciscan Center for Service and Advocacy.
