Students Deliver Service, Fellowship From L.A. to D.C.

Volunteers delivered kindness, fellowship and service from The University of Scranton community to locations across the U.S. During the 2024 Intersession, students and chaperones from the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice ventured to California, Montana, Washington D.C. and Louisiana.

One group visited the Father McKenna Center, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving men who experience homelessness and low-income families who face food insecurity in the surrounding neighborhoods of Washington, D.C.

Peer Facilitator Angelina Guido ’25, of Bedford, New Hampshire, was one of nine students and three adult chaperones who participated from Jan. 14-20.

“During the day we helped to serve and prepare meals for the men … and shared meals with them. At a food pantry for the low-income families we helped distribute. Also, there is a Hypothermia/Transition Program where men who are taking their next step out of homelessness can stay in the Father McKenna Center during cold nights in the winter,” she explained.

The trip was the third domestic service experience for Guido, a biology major on the pre-medical track, with a minor in psychology and a concentration in health humanities.

“I’ve been interested in the D.C. service trip for a while now. I never had the opportunity to be fully immersed with the homeless population … never slept in a homeless shelter or really got to know their story,” said Guido.

“I love participating in these service trips. Helping others in need is something I really enjoy doing. Having the opportunity to give back and try to make a difference in someone else’s life really brings people together… I’m so grateful that I was asked to be a Peer Facilitator, because every person in my group was absolutely amazing and inspiring.”

“What surprised me most about this trip is how much my perspective on the homeless has changed. I find people that homeless are usually negatively misrepresented. …When speaking with the homeless men at the Father McKenna Center I realized that there are more reasons that contribute to their situation, such as mental health issues or struggling with addiction. The homeless …are trying to live in this world like us.” 

Across the country in Los Angeles, California, seven students and two chaperones were also immersing themselves in unfamiliar situations at Dolores Mission Parish and School, Homeboy Industries, and on Skid Row with the Catholic Workers of LA.

Peer Facilitator Christopher Gutt ’24, of Narbeth, Pennsylvania, said he was overwhelmed by the gracious and inviting nature of everyone they met.

“Gang members, unhoused individuals, and those living on the margins of society often carry the weight of many societal stereotypes. Getting to talk to and be with these people really showed their humanity at its core. These individuals are just like us, but came from different backgrounds and experiences. It really taught me that there are no bad people, just bad situations,” said Gutt, a kinesiology major.

“We were dedicated to living simply, immersing ourselves in a new culture, and hearing stories from the individuals whom we were amongst.” 

Selfie with Father G! At center is Homeboy Founder Father Greg Boyle, with University Center for Service and Social Justice volunteers, from left: Brianna Zippay, Christina Kennedy, Christopher Gutt, Avianna Carilli, chaperone, Jason Schwass, chaperone, Fione Evans, Zoe Honney, Erin Hartey and Maria Stephen.

A dinner with one of the group’s guides stands out in memory for Gutt.

“We got to have dinner with Fr. Greg Boyle, the founder of Homeboy Industries and one of the most famous Jesuits in the world!” said the University senior.

He shared a bit about the organization led by Father Boyle.

“Homeboy Industries is the largest gang re-entry and re-integration program in the world. It provides a number of services which range from education, tattoo removal, housing and legal assistance, mental health counseling, and much more. Skid Row is one of the largest concentrations of unhoused individuals in the country. The LA Catholic Workers have a soup kitchen down in Skid Row, where they provide meals to the unhoused community.”

Throughout the intersession, CSSJ volunteers dedicated their service with the St. Bernard Project in New Orleans, led by Peer Facilitator Sara Wynne ‘25 and at the Missoula Foodbank and Poverello Center in Missoula, Montana, led by Peer Facilitator Sophia Pisarski ‘ .

Read more about their adventures here and get details about upcoming spring break service trips and how to participate in CSSJ activities here.