Catholic Heart Work Camp Makes a Difference

Catholic Charities, Diocese of Paterson, was once again graced by the presence of youth volunteers from Catholic Heart Workcamp (CHWC) last week.

Catholic Heart Workcamp looks to echo Christ's love throughout the country by connecting young men and women to causes in need.

The CHWC teams volunteered their time at the Department for Persons with Disabilities, Father English Food Pantry, the Thrift Shop and the Community Garden. They also helped our Catholic Family and Community Services Operations Department move furniture and boxes to support program changes, and they helped to reorganize the Franklin food pantry. In addition, students did some painting in two of our early learning programs and participated in our Senior Day program activities.

Below is an overview of their work as well as some pictures from the very busy week.
 

Department for Persons with Disabilities

DPD had 5 ambitious and hard-working teens completing a deep clean of 4 group homes. Three were from Pennsylvania and 2 from Massachusetts. They scrubbed bathrooms, moved furniture to clean underneath and washed windows among other things. All the work they did was so very much appreciated by the homes since these were tasks that are not easy to get to in an average day. On the final day of cleaning they concluded with a BBQ and swim. The teens were kind, polite and enthusiastic no matter what the task. They had a chance to meet and talk with several of the residents of the homes they worked in. This allowed them to actually see who they were in service to and it meant a lot to them

Painting at El Mundo de Colores- Early Learning Program

Upon arriving at El Mundo de Colores, the CHWC volunteers quickly, and most efficiently, began numerous much needed painting jobs throughout the building. The painting projects were necessary to spruce up the building prior to the September, new school year start-up. This is the first time the program has utilized the engaging and hard working group. Their collective efforts are greatly appreciated, and we would welcome their return next year.

Clean-up and Painting at Friendship Corner 2

We were blessed to have 3 CHWC teams come to FC2 this week. They weeded our back parking lot, painted the cafeteria and hallways leading into the cafeteria, cleaned furniture and floors, repaired closets in several classrooms and installed an air conditioner. All of the groups got to spend time with the children enrolled in our summer program reading books and doing art projects. Their commitment to their faith was demonstrated every day in their enthusiasm and willingness to do whatever was needed to make improvements to the building for the children and families of this community. We cannot wait to welcome them back next summer!

Stocking/Re Organizing at the Father English and Sussex Food Pantries

The young volunteers also volunteered at our Food Pantry in Franklin. These kids were amazing, they cleaned, stacked shelves, and organized all the new areas added to the small food pantry we had before. I also had a group in Paterson, they folded clothes, separated donations, staked shelves. Thank god we gad these kids with us this week!

Volunteers at the Senior Day Program

The seniors were teaching the youth how to crochet. One of the youth said “wow this is really hard work I can’t believe how long it takes to do a couple stitches.” Each youth were given yarn and a crochet hook to continue practicing when they return home and will be sending photos back to the seniors to show them their progress.

A quote from One of the seniors” today I feel young again.” Later in the day the youth also helped at the pizza party/birthday party.

This week five campers from the Catholic Heart Work Camp and their counselor spent two days helping at the Paterson Adult Day Center. The seniors loved having them and marveled at their enthusiasm and boundless energy. They brought lots of new ideas to the center. We played board games and charades. It was great fun and everyone enjoyed our indoor picnic on the last day.

CFCS Maintenance/Operations Department

This week the Operations Department had the pleasure of working with Catholic Heart Work Camp. The young adults were very pleasant and eager to help us with our projects. They all demonstrated great leadership abilities, by working together to complete the task at hand.

Community Garden

After being challenged by the weather all week, one team of CHWC (that worked with Jason and Fernando) spent 1/2 day working in the FECC El Mundo del Nino Children's Garden behind 212 Slater ST. They weeded the vegetable beds and the areas around 212 Slater Street. They removed overgrown weeds and trimmed bushes. They also laid mulch in areas that needed weed control. When they were finished they were dirty and smiling.
 

"What wonderful young role models the volunteers from Catholic Heart Workcamp are. They truly embody Christ's love for the poor and those in need. These future leaders, helped us immeasurably at Catholic Charities and we look forward to their continued service," said Scott Milliken, CEO Catholic Charities