High Impact initiative aims to bridge gap between university, local parish
WAYNESBURG – The High Impact initiative aims to bridge the gap between Waynesburg University students and many facets of the community, including a local parish.
During the summer of 2014, the university became a part of the Bonner-High Impact Initiative. Together with community partners, representatives from the school began unfolding a plan to help organizations in the community and students on campus feel like a united force.
The program encourages students to get involved by serving throughout the area.
St. Ann’s Catholic Parish serves as a place for a warm meal and fellowship to those in the community. Students at Waynesburg University have had a longstanding relationship with St. Ann’s.
Twelve to fifteen years ago, a service learning class focused on poverty and hunger – led by Pat Bristor, associate dean of students – created the free Tuesday dinners at St. Ann’s. The Bonner scholar students have continued this service throughout the years.
St. Ann’s soup kitchen serves meals to members of the community for lunch on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, as well as a special Tuesday evening dinner served by Waynesburg University students.
St. Ann’s soup kitchen has their food donated by Aladdin’s Food Service.
“We are so grateful for the donation that Aladdin’s has been making to help provide full meals for our guests,” said junior finance major and site coordinator Casey Wiltshire.
The soup kitchen has also seen an increase in guests in the past year.
“We went from around 20 to 25 guests to around 50 guests per week,” Wiltshire said.
Bristor believes the increase in attendance can be attributed to a combination of things.
“During the summer we average 40 to 50 people,” Bristor said. “Because we continue the soup kitchen when students aren’t around, it becomes a regular thing in their calendar.”
Student involvement in the community is crucial to making things like the soup kitchen readily available.
Wiltshire is thankful for his early involvement in the St. Ann’s soup kitchen.
“I started serving there the first week of classes when I was a freshman,” Wiltshire said. “It’s not like a typical soup kitchen where you just serve the food and you don’t communicate with the guests. We get to build community and engage our guests.”
Brianna Watt, a senior early childhood and special education major, serves at St. Ann’s because of her passion for people.
“I volunteer because I love helping others,” Watt said. “In a weird way, it’s kind of a selfish reason. To me, it’s a getaway from work and my crazy schedule.”
“I’m also from this area, so to give back and help my community is so important,” Watt added. “I have been insanely blessed and my life was given to me, so I was one of the lucky ones. I want to give back and help others almost as a thank you to God for giving me the life I never truly earned.”
Through the Bonner High Impact initiative, students are encouraged to be engaged with the community not only through service, but also through different activities.
“St. Ann’s is the perfect place to get engaged,” said Bonner scholar and junior early childhood education major Shakila Kienholz.
Students can get involved by simply signing up in the Center for Service Learning office or on the service trips tab on myConnect.
Although there are specific service sites and processes, Bristor encourages students to be creative with service.
“Think outside the box, think about other ways to serve these people other than providing a meal for them,” Bristor said.
Wiltshire is using the skills he learns in the classroom to help serve others, and he encourages others to do the same. At St. Ann’s, Wiltshire is in charge of the budgets and recording statistics, as well as production.
“Use your talents and your skills to make a difference in the community,” Wiltshire said. “It’s your community; why not help out?”