As part of OLSH’s Charger Connect activity period, the Serving Where Needed club gives students the opportunity to step beyond campus and put their faith into action through hands-on service throughout the local community. Through volunteer opportunities at food banks, donation centers, community organizations, and other local service sites, students live out the mission of Blessed Angela by serving others wherever help is needed.
For its first off-campus service visit, the group traveled to the Hope Grows Iris Respite House, a peaceful retreat designed to support caregivers. Hope Grows provides caregivers with opportunities to rest, recharge, and find support while navigating the challenges of caring for a loved one. Through its focus on the healing power of nature and horticultural therapy, the organization creates restorative spaces where caregivers can find moments of peace and renewal.
During their visit, OLSH students assisted with yard work and helped maintain the property's beautiful gardens, which serve as peaceful outdoor spaces for respite house guests. By caring for these gardens, students helped preserve a welcoming environment where caregivers can take a break, reconnect with nature, and enjoy a moment of respite.
The experience offered students a meaningful opportunity to serve those who spend so much of their time caring for others. By giving their time and energy to Hope Grows, Serving Where Needed members put the OLSH commitment to serving where you are needed into practice, demonstrating how simple acts of service can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.