Wolves on the Prowl 2008

For the Wolves on the Prowl service day, I participated in the "Cubs in the Den" activities.  Children from Good Shepherd School came to Loyola to participate in various activities in our Res Quad.  Good Shepherd School is a Jesuit School, free of tuition, offered to children coming from families who live in poverty or below minimum wage.  We led the grammar school children in games such as capture the flag, dizzy lizzy, tug-of-war, along with others.  This was a good chance to interact with children from the area.  I had an amazing time getting to know these elementary school children while being active and having fun at the same time.  

Good Shepherd School opened in 2001 and just had its first graduating class.  Two of the teachers who came to supervise the children were Loyola University alumni.  It was interesting to see the impact of a Jesuit education and how it has carried on into these alumnus's careers.  These teachers were very excited to be working with these children and help them to achieve a better education than what they would be getting in the local public school.  The intention of a school like Good Shepherd is to provide children from low income families the tools and opportunities they need to succeed and break out of the lower class family they have been born into.  

One service project that I have wanted to become involved in since being in New Orleans is Habitat for Humanity.  This organization focuses on helping rebuild homes for families willing to transform and improve their own lives.  This seems to be a very compelling and touching experience to be a part of, and what better place to participate than New Orleans?  There are many families in need of help after hurricane Katrina and I would love to be one of the volunteers who helps these families get their lives back together.  This is a non-profit organization that has been helping families for over 30 years.  This is a very hands-on experience that I feel would be very eye-opening and touching to be a part of.