Students Volunteer Service During Spring Break

Fifty University of Scranton students participated in four domestic service trips, organized by the Center for Service and Social Justice, over spring break. Students helped with disaster relief efforts, refugee assistance and with tutoring and mentoring children. They worked with persons with disabilities and former gang members and helped out at soup kitchens and food pantries

During spring break, the students volunteered at the Christian Appalachian Project/Workfest in Appalachia, Kentucky; The McKenna Center in Washington, D.C.; and the Romero Center in Camden, New Jersey. Students also participated in the Electric City Experience, through which they volunteered in the Scranton region at Neighbor Works, St. Francis Soup Kitchen, Nativity Miguel School, St. Joseph’s Center and other Scranton-area projects.

The following students served at Christian Appalachian Project/Workfest:

Tabatha Berger, Cresco;

Stephen Butler, Telford;

Brandon DaGrosa, Hazle Township;

Laura Echausse, Mineola, New York;

Fione Evans, Scranton;

Kaitlyn Franceschelli, Spring Brook Township;

Lauren McGuire, Pearl River, New York;

Cole Miller, Levittown;

Hailey Monaghan, Langhorne;

Thomas Pisano, Staten Island, New York;

Fanny Rodriguez, Sheppton;

Peter Sims, Yardley;

Maria Stephen, Huntingdon Valley;

Lauren Usaitis, Du Bois;

Miguel Valencia, Farmingdale, New York;

Sarah White, Brooklyn, New York, who also served as a peer facilitator.

Sean Brennan, professor of history; Rose Merritt, office manager, Counseling Center; and Jason Schwass, senior director of student success, Kania School of Management, served as chaperones.

University students serving with Christian Appalachian Project were highlighted in this Lexington, Kentucky WKYT news story.

The following students participated in the Electric City Experience:

Kayla Abcede, Garwood, New Jersey;

Abigail Casal, South Abington Township;

Victoria Chiulli, Scarsdale, New York;

Robert Correas-Rivera, Reading;

Caitlin Czyzewski, Philadelphia;

Rachael Gallagher, Havertown, who also served as a peer facilitator;

Angelina Guido, Merrimack, New Hampshire;

Jenna Kotlar, Branchburg, New Jersey;

Kristen LeFebvre, Ridgefield, Connecticut;

Kayla Maas, Barryville, New York;

Kate Malloy, Bethlehem;

Margaret McGrath, Drexel Hill;

Bailey McLaughlin, Allentown, New Jersey, who also served as a peer facilitator;

Brooke McNabola, Wallingford, Connecticut;

Emily Nowak, Hackettstown, New Jersey;

Marina Nunziato, Cranford, New Jersey;

David Pennino, Smithtown, New York;

Laura Petrera, Butler, New Jersey;

Cayman Webber, Buckeye, Arizona;

Brian White, Brooklyn, New York.

Lynn Gavin, coordinator of local service and community outreach for the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice, served as chaperone.

The following students served at The McKenna Center:

Marino Angeloni, Jessup, who also served as a peer facilitator;

Mary Bunone, Ramsey, New Jersey;

Matthew Duffy, Plainview, New York;

Nicole Gomber, Province, New Jersey;

Daniella Gomes, Staten Island, New York;

Kyle Kennelly, Huntington, New York;

Sophia McMullan, Cranford, New Jersey;

Michael Meyer, Paramus, New Jersey.

Melissa Eckenrode, administrative assistant, Department of English and Theatre, and Alec Hufford, a Jesuit novice assigned to the University’s Office of Campus Ministries and the Center for Service and Social Justice, served as chaperones.                  

The following students served at the Romero Center:

Erin Grell, Wood Ridge, New Jersey;

Isaiah Livelsberger, Hanover; 

Jennifer Noll, Paoli;    

Mia Sandy, Scranton;

Julia Turnak, Hingham, Massachusetts;

Kathleen Wallace, Bowie, Maryland.

Shannon Everton, Sykesville, Maryland, graduate occupational therapy student and graduate assistant in the Center of Service and Social Justice, served as chaperone.