Royals Provide Acts of Service Nationwide for Those Facing Housing Insecurity

Students from The University of Scranton traveled to communities across the United States in January for domestic service trips organized by the University's Center for Service and Social Justice (CSSJ).

Each trip was led by a peer facilitator, individuals who played a leadership role and supported their fellow students throughout the experience. Their efforts combined direct service with opportunities to build relationships and reflect on issues such as homelessness, poverty and access to resources.

Patrick George '26, a graduate operations and supply chain management student from Endwell, New York, helped lead a group of seven students and three chaperones to Washington, D.C. The volunteers partnered with organizations supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.

The Royals worked primarily with the Father McKenna Center, assisting with meal preparation, organizing donations and building relationships with clients.

Connecting with the people they served was the greatest emphasis of their work in D.C. “It was our goal to remind the clients of their humanity and give them genuine human connection and relationship,” George said.

Students also volunteered with We Are Family and the Catholic Worker, distributing food and supplies and participating in outreach throughout the city.

Daily reflections rooted in the Jesuit Examen helped students process their experiences and remain focused on four themes: presence, patience, perspective and moving forward.

According to George, the relationships formed during the week had the greatest impact. "There was a genuine exchange of love in both directions."

The experience had a lasting impact on George, particularly in his career discernment.

“This trip to D.C. solidified to me that I can do the most amount of good by working at a place like the Father McKenna Center,” he said. "Since coming back from this trip, I have committed myself to finding a job where I can lead people and serve the marginalized in a manner that glorifies God."

Rachel Alesso '27, a counseling and human services major from Manasquan, New Jersey, facilitated a service trip to Phoenix focused on supporting mothers experiencing homelessness.

The group partnered with Maggie's Place, an organization that provides housing and support for pregnant women and mothers with newborns. Seven students and two chaperones participated.

Each day, students visited homes, shown above, assisting with cleaning, organizing donations and preparing meals while spending time with residents.

Alesso said the experience deepened her understanding of poverty, particularly during a simulation that required students to navigate public transportation to access social services.

She noted that small acts of service often carried the greatest meaning.

“What stands out most is how something small like cooking dinner for a home felt deeply meaningful,” Alesso said. “Knowing it made the mom's night a little easier showed me the power of simple service.”

Since returning to campus, Alesso said the trip has influenced her professional goals.

“I can truly see myself working as an in-house counselor for an organization like Maggie’s Place and helping mothers rebuild their lives,” she said.

Peer facilitator Luke Flanagan '27, a business administration major from Pearl River, New York, led a trip to Florida to work with Habitat for Humanity. 

At two Habitat ReStore locations in Charlotte County, students sorted clothing and organized donations.

Flanagan guided a group, shown above, of six students and two chaperones who spent the week assisting with multiple housing projects in Charlotte County, Florida. Service activities included painting interiors and exteriors of homes, completing finishing touches such as baseboards and doors, and helping raise walls and install plywood sheathing for a new home build. The students also sorted clothing and organized donations at two Habitat ReStore locations.

On one of the final days, students met the future homeowners whose house they helped construct. The impact of their work stood out the most to Flanagan.

Leading nightly reflections challenged him to grow as a leader while drawing on the principles of his Jesuit education.

“I learned that leadership is not about being the loudest in the room, but more about listening and asking thoughtful questions,” Flanagan said.

He added that the shared experience of service strengthened the group’s sense of community.

“The week of living, serving and reflecting together created a level of trust and vulnerability that doesn’t always happen on campus,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan's experience has deepened his awareness of housing insecurity and commitment to serving those in need.

“I’ve become more aware of the realities of housing insecurity, and it’s pushed me to think beyond temporary service and toward long-term impact,” he said.

The domestic service trips are designed to immerse students in impactful community-based service while encouraging reflection rooted in Jesuit values.

A fourth domestic service trip to Syracuse, New York, will be highlighted in an article scheduled for publication March 4. In this piece, student correspondent Marcus Smith '27 interviews peer facilitator Marissa Manzo '28 about her group’s experience serving in the Syracuse community.