Post-Grad Volunteering Archive

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Why I Go: A Personal Vocational Discernment

Melissa HollabaughA personal reflection on why participate in Post-Graduate volunteering.
By Mellissa Hollabaugh 

I am going because I am young and able, and I have no career to endanger. If not now, when?

After I get another degree? After I make some money?

I am going because I have learned to believe that everything starts at home, with me.

I am going because I want my actions to reflect my values.

I am going because if I want peace, I know I must work for justice.

I am going because if I don’t, who will?

I am going because I have innumerable questions that I want to live out.

I am going because a Spanish nun in Peru taught me to salir al encuentro para hacerme amigos
con el pobre. If I don’t know the poor by name, I have not done enough.

I am going in the name of all the poor who asked me never to forget their stories:
Silvana, Aurora, Johan, Miguel, Carmen, Walter, Juan & Esilia, Antonio & Mimi, Miguelina, Elfi, Alma, Sami, Genesis, Luchi, Orquidea, Junior, Estalin, Pedro & Kristina, Canene & Antigua, Pimpa, Boba, Carmen, Juana & Luis, Oscar, Antonio.

I am going because there are a million more stories that need to be told.

I am going because I have been blessed with an education to justice, a community of friends that
encourages me, a loving family that sustains me, and a desire to experience all the joys
and pains the world is willing to offer me.

I am going because I, too, have always wondered,
Why don’t more people stand up?

I am going for all the times I have remained embarrassingly quiet and cowardly in the face of
injustice, prejudice and ignorance.

I am going because I want to be different. I am going because Kyle Woolley once asked me:
How unusual do you want to be?

I am going because I want to test my values, and I want my actions to reflect those values.

I am going because of what Dorothy Day taught me:
The only solution to the long lonliness is love and that love comes with community.

I am going because I want to know what it’s like to have my heart broken, and then to have it
rebuilt through the presence of the divine in others.

I am going to live out my commitment to Jesuit values: to be a woman for and with others, to do and be more than what is expected, to be contemplative in action.

I am going so that I am challenged to change and grow into a better version of myself.

I am going so that I can share what I’ve witnessed with my community back home.

I am going for the many Creighton professors and mentors who have challenged and inspired me.

I am going because I want to make a preferential option for the poor.

I am going because I believe in this quote: Life begins outside your comfort zone.

I am going because I want to practice giving and receiving intangible gifts.

I am going so I can learn to practice wonder and awe for creation.

I am going because I believe in Dr. Martin Luther King’s message,
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

I am going because I want to learn to live in simplicity and solidarity.

I am going because I would rather be an instrument of peace than an apathetic graduate.

I am going because I want to learn the difference between wants and needs.

I am going in the influential footsteps of all the JPS grads that have gone before me.

I am going because it is the best reflection of Creighton running through me.

I am going so I can learn to live the Easter holiday.

I am going so I can learn to experience the life that occurs beyond a planner. For as I’ve been told,
Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans.

I am going so I can paint a new picture of what an “American” can be to Latin America.

I am going for all those who cannot go, and better yet, for those who willingly choose not to.

I am going because I have to believe there is so much more to life than just this.

I am going because I have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

I am going because I know there is a different kind of real world out there, and I want to meet it.

I am going now because life is short, and all we have is today.

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Shed the Noise: An Interview Project


Define your own road in life!

Thursday
, April 26th
7:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Creighton Rigge Science 120


Ever wondered where you’re headed in life?
How your passions can combine
with your major to land you in the career of your dreams?
Well join us April 26th for a viewing of our documentary “Shed the Noise: An Interview Project.”

… This semester, 15 Creighton students interviewed people who have jobs they find interesting. In pooling the interviews, we made a documentary of the inspiring words of those people that have found their own road. Come watch to hear from leaders in the community who have resisted the noise of conformity and stayed true to themselves in finding their life’s work.

Learn how to make a life and not just a living! Check out the RoadTrip Nation website, join us for our viewing, or be part of the movement with our new group beginning in the Fall. http://roadtripnation.com/

Come join them, because they’re pretty sure you’re going to think it’s worth your time. (Plus, there are prizes.) Questions: Contact AllisonCorrigan@creighton.edu or klinden@creighton.edu.

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Creighton Alumna Continues the Work of Advocacy


By Becca Harvey, ’11

I set out to write this to let you know about my recent advocacy adventures. (I thought you would be pleased!)

One of my guests here at Casa Vides in El Paso, TX has recently won political asylum, but immigration didn’t give her an I-94 (a type of visa that is used as an ID for legal immigrants). It’s caused a ton of problems for her getting public benefits, but also just trying to function without a legal ID. She’s not the first asylee we have seen come through without this paperwork. So, I set up an appointment with Congressman Reyes’ office.

Because of my work on advocacy team and my experiences at Creighton, I felt very comfortable doing this, wasn’t nervous at all for the appointment, and was able to prep the guest on what to expect. I gathered resources, wrote up a summary letter to leave with the aid, and went to the meeting.

The meeting was this afternoon. I think it went really well, and I hope the aid/congressman can help this specific guest attain an I-94, but also address the bigger systemic issue. It was refreshing for me to meet with a democratic representative, as she was sympathetic rather than antagonistic.

Being part of advocacy team prepared me for this experience, and I wanted to thank you!

 

The CCSJ blogs are meant to be a place for Creighton students, faculty, staff, alumni/ae, and friends to reflect on their experiences with programs sponsored by the office or related to its mission. The views expressed in these reflections, and all other blogs found on or linked to from this website, are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of Creighton University, the Creighton Center for Service and Justice (CCSJ), or any of the University’s affiliates. The University and the CCSJ are not responsible for the actions, content, accuracy, or opinions expressed in these blogs.

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CCSJ Weekly Update: Apr. 2 – Apr. 8

Featured Events:

Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Interested in doing something a bit different for your 2012 Fall Break? Do you want to learn more about an amazing opportunity? Are you looking to have an exciting experience next semester?

Join us on Tuesday night, April 3rd at 9PM in the Harper Ballroom for our Info Night! Come to learn about the program and trips and to hear what the new application process is! Bring a friend and ask someone who has gone! Hope to see you there!

For more information about the Service Trip Program:
Visit the Website: http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/serviceandjusticetrips/ Contact a Core Team member or Service & Justice Associate: Melissa List, Maureen Book, Claire Bowens, Kate Kogler, Kelsey Cullinan, Mike Rios, Laura Green, Steph Haas, Nick George, Bill Kusek, or Chris Boitano

Good Friday Walk for Justice
Join sponsors – including the Social Ministry Commission of the Omaha Archdiocese, St. John’s Church, and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice –on Friday, April 6 for a Walking Stations of the Cross.

The walk will begin at 1:00pm at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 19 & Dodge and will wind its way past the Federal Courthouse, Douglas County Jail, among other locations.

The walk serves as a public witness of the continuing crucifixion of Jesus in the sufferings of people today, and a communal prayer inviting people to live out their faith in a public way. You can read an article in the Catholic Voice Omaha about the walk here: http://catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=16164

Events this week:
Finding a Voice Art Exhibition
Come and See: Columban Fathers Open House
Ollie Webb Volunteers Needed Mondays in April
Hungry For Ethnic Food! MSA Food Sale
Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Ollie Webb Center Collage Class
Ollie Webb Center CIRCLES I Class
Good Friday Walk for Justice

Events More than One Week Away:
Adopt-A-Block Conference and Summit
A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds
8th Annual All-Nations Pow-Wow
Save the Date: Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony

Saturday, March 31
Finding a Voice Art Exhibition
2012 First Annual Exhibition of the Arts. This event is full of music, poetry, and artwork presented by the “artists in recovery” group. It will take place on Saturday, March 31st from 6:30-9:30pm, with a panel discussion at 7:30 about Homelessness and Transformation. This event will take place at 906 North 16th Street. A $5.00 free will donation is suggestion. Your support and contributions are appreciated.

Come and See: Columban Fathers Open House
If you are a Catholic man between the ages of 18 and 35, and believe you might be called to the missionary priesthood, come and explore the possibilities with Columban Fathers Chuck Lintz and Bill Morton. The day includes vocational discernment, personal sharing, lunch, and Mass. This event will take place from 9am-5pm at the Columban Mission Center, 1902 Calhoun Street, Bellevue, NE. For more information, or to register, please contact Fr. Chuck Lintz at (402)731-0100 or email vocations@columban.org.

Monday, April 2
Ollie Webb Volunteers Needed Mondays in April
The Adult and Adolescent programs at the Ollie Webb Center are in need of volunteers on Mondays in April (April 2, 9, 16, and 23) to assist with a weekly session called “Keeping your Cool.” Volunteers would assist adults and adolescents with disabilities with reading, writing, and role playing. Volunteers should be able to commit to an entire session to have consistency with the students, and would need to be present from 5:45-8:15 pm for each of the sessions. To volunteer, please contact Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.

Tuesday, April 3
Hungry for Ethnic Food!
The Creighton Muslim Students Association presents a Middle Eastern food fundraiser! Choose from grape leaves, hummus, taboleh salad, Mediterranean rice, Dessert (Baklava, Haressa) and more! Cost is $6 per plate and $1.50 for dessert. Only cash will be accepted. This event will take place from 11am-1:30pm on the Creighton Mall (rain location: Hixon-Lied building, Mutual of Omaha Student Lounge, first floor). For more information, please contact Naser Alsharif nalshari@creighton.edu.

Service and Justice Trips Info Meeting
Interested in doing something a bit different for your 2012 Fall Break? Do you want to learn more about an amazing opportunity? Are you looking to have an exciting experience next semester?

Join us on Tuesday night, April 3rd at 9PM in the Harper Ballroom for our Info Night! Come to learn about the program and trips and to hear what the new application process is! Bring a friend and ask someone who has gone! Hope to see you there!

For more information about the Service Trip Program:
Visit the Website: http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/serviceandjusticetrips/ Contact a Core Team member or Service & Justice Associate: Melissa List, Maureen Book, Claire Bowens, Kate Kogler, Kelsey Cullinan, Mike Rios, Laura Green, Steph Haas, Nick George, Bill Kusek, or Chris Boitano

Wednesday, April 4
Ollie Webb Center Collage Class
Volunteers are needed to assist adults with developmental disabilities with creating art collages on Wednesday evenings in April. Fine motor skill assistance is necessary. The class runs April 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, from 5:30-7:45pm at the Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Attendance is encouraged at all 4 classes, but not mandatory. To volunteer, please email Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.

Thursday, April 5
Ollie Webb Center CIRCLES I Class
Volunteers are needed to assist adults with developmental disabilities with a course about boundaries on Thursday evenings in April. The class runs April 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th, from 5:30-7:45pm at the Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Attendance is encouraged at all 4 classes, but not mandatory. To volunteer, please email Lisa Dougherty at ldougherty@olliewebbinc.org.

Friday, April 6
Good Friday Walk for Justice
Join sponsors – including the Social Ministry Commission of the Omaha Archdiocese, St. John’s Church, and the Creighton Center for Service and Justice –on Friday, April 6 for a Walking Stations of the Cross.

The walk will begin at 1:00pm at St. Mary Magdalene Church at 19 & Dodge and will wind its way past the Federal Courthouse, Douglas County Jail, among other locations. The walk lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

The walk serves as a public witness of the continuing crucifixion of Jesus in the sufferings of people today, and a communal prayer inviting people to live out their faith in a public way. You can read an article in the Catholic Voice Omaha about the walk here: http://catholicvoiceomaha.com/main.asp?SectionID=7&SubSectionID=7&ArticleID=16164

Upcoming Events:
Adopt-a-Block Conference and Summit
(Friday, April 13, 2012)
The Adopt-a-Block Summit is sponsored by the Empowerment Network, and will take place at the OPS-TAC Building (3215 Cuming Street) from 7:30-10am. This event is free and open to the public, and will feature a Crime Stoppers demonstration, participation from law enforcement, pastors, faith leaders, organizations, neighborhood associations, residents, interactive discussion, and more. Deadline to register is Thursday, April 11th by 5pm. RSVP by contacting Vicki Quaites-Ferris at (402) 502-5153 or at vqferris@empoweromaha.com.

A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds
(Friday, April 13, 2012)
Comedy has always played a role in building bridges across cultures and humanizing the other. In that spirit, the Muslim Student Association, in conjunction with Campus Ministry, the CCSJ, CSU, and others, present A Night of Comedy: Opening Hearts and Minds. This event features Dean Obeidallah from Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil Special and Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen. This event will take place from 7-9 pm in the Harper Center Auditorium. This event is free to the Creighton Community with ID, $15 for the general public, and $10 for non-Creighton Students. For more information, contact Naser Alsharif at nalshari@creighton.edu.

8th Annual All Nations Pow-Wow
(Saturday, April 14, 2012)
Presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Creighton’s Native American Association (NAA). The 8th Annual All Nations Pow-Wow is a wonderful opportunity for Creighton students, faculty, staff, and alumni to celebrate with friends and guests of Creighton in this annual tradition for our campus and the Community. This event will take place in the Kiewit Fitness Center from 1-10pm, with Grand Entries at 1 and 6 pm, and the community feed at 5 pm. For more information, please contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs, at (402) 280-2459.

Save the Date: Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony
May 11, 2012
Save the date for the 2012 Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony. The ceremony will take place from 10:30-11:15 am on Friday, May 11, 2012. Join Fr. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., President of Creighton University and Fr. Andy Alexander, S.J., Vice President for University Ministry, the Creighton Center for Service and Justice, and the Justice and Peace Studies Program in celebrating our graduates who are volunteering or entering religious life for the upcoming year. All are welcome, especially family and friends of these graduates. For more information, please visit http://blogs.creighton.edu/ccsj/category/post-graduate-volunteering.

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Post-Grad Volunteer & Religious Life Missioning Ceremony

Post-Graduate Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony

Post-Grad Volunteers 2011

New graduates at the Post-Grad Volunteer and Religious Life Missioning Ceremony in May 11, 2011. Fr. Schlegel, SJ (back left) blessed the grads for his 11th and final time since becoming President of Creighton.

Friday, May 11, 2012, 10:30 am – 11:15 am
Saint John’s Church

Join Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., President of Creighton University, Andy Alexander, S.J., Vice President for University Ministry, the Creighton Center for Service and Justice, and the Justice and Peace Studies Program in celebrating our graduates who are volunteering or entering religious life for the upcoming year. All are welcome, especially friends and family of these graduates.

The Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., Outstanding Student Award
Dr. Roger Bergman, Director of the Justice and Peace Studies Program, will present the The Ellacuría Award. The Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., Outstanding Student Award is presented jointly to a graduating Justice & Peace Studies minor or Justice & Society major by the Justice & Peace Studies Program in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology, and the Creighton Center for Service & Justice, in University Ministry. As this collaboration suggests, the two selection criteria are of equal weight: excellence in the classroom and leadership in service and justice activities.

The award is named for the rector (president) of the University of Central America in El Salvador, Fr. Ignacio Ellacuría, of the Society of Jesus, who was martyred along with five brother priests in 1989. He was both a scholar and an activist, a philosopher and theologian who very publicly embodied the faith that does justice and seeks peace. He put his own intellectual talents and the resources of the UCA at the service of the vast majority of Salvadorans who suffered violence and impoverishment. He represents magnificently (and tragically) the challenging vision of Jesuit higher education.

Please RSVP to Ken Reed-Bouley, krb@creighton.edu, if you plan on attending the Post-Graduate Volunteering & Religious Life Missioning Ceremony.

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