On Tuesday, November 14, juniors went on their class retreat, dividing up into small groups to do community service activities at five different LifeMoves locations and then coming back together at the Notre Dame de Namur University (NDNU) library.
LifeMoves is a nonprofit organization that serves to address the severe homelessness crisis across the Bay Area. They offer case management services to clients at designated interim housing shelter locations. The services help clients and their families become independent.
Twelve juniors volunteered at the organization’s Navigation Center in Redwood City. They prepared and served breakfast, made trail mix bags and organized cupboards.
“I really enjoyed being at the Navigation Center, and I found it to be a valuable learning lesson,” shared junior Nicole Fong.“The retreat allowed me to give back to humanity and reflect upon myself. It reminded me that there is always someone willing to lend a hand. It just depends on whether you choose to reach for it.”
At the LifeMoves Opportunity Services Center, seventeen juniors made Thanksgiving decorations and put them up to emphasize the importance of gratitude.
“It was truly an amazing experience, and it felt really good to know I was helping the community and gaining more knowledge and becoming more aware of people’s situations,” said junior Allison Lui.
At the LifeMoves Homekey location in Mountain View, seventeen juniors sorted clothes into men’s, women’s and children’s categories.
“It felt really nice to contribute and lend a hand to this community. It really opened my eyes and changed a lot of stereotypes that I had,” shared junior Georgia Sewell.
Seventeen juniors organized closets with clothes and packed bags with baby supplies at the LifeMoves Haven Family House in Menlo Park.
“I thought it was a lot more rewarding and meaningful than I expected it to be. [LifeMoves] gave us the opportunity to do more hands-on stuff,” said junior Maggie Templeton. “We got to see the daycare, which was just really sweet because they were the cutest kids.”
At the fifth and final LifeMoves location – First Step for Families – in San Mateo, students were tasked with cleaning the pantry and did so by organizing plates, utensils and crockpots. They were also greeted by children who were living in the shelter with their families.
“It felt really nice to connect with the community and be able to help the clients,” shared junior Kirsten Pfeiffer. “We were sweeping leaves on the playground … and around the site. They all came for recess to introduce themselves and tell us about their new clothes and their new jackets.”
By 11:30 a.m., juniors arrived at NDNU to write cards for LifeMoves clients and then enjoyed lunch while listening to three LifeMoves managers give talks. Overall, the juniors learned how to help those in need in the local community.
