2011 YSOP Service Trip
On Friday, Dec. 16, twenty-eight Loyola students and four faculty members started their Christmas break with the YSOP Christian Service trip. The group spent 24 hours together, serving the needy of New York City and reflecting on their experiences. Enjoy the following reflections from students who participated in the trip!
“Our site was actually quite interesting. On one side of the street was the food pantry and clothes distribution center while on the other side of the street was a school. Inside the school was a soup kitchen where some of my group-mates helped prepare the wonderful lunch we ate after we finished our work. The food was actually really good, which was a gift to me, because I would never think that so much time and effort went into preparing the food that the soup kitchen guests receive. When I found the food to be delicious it made me appreciate all those who work there each week.” - Michael ‘14
“On Saturday, my group went to Holy Cross Church in Times Square, where there was a food pantry/ gift giving event for the holidays going on. In the beginning I helped to set up tables and bag together the food, but once everybody came in, a few of us gave out the bags of supplies to people. This experience was really eye-opening, because I saw how many children are born into homelessness, a lifestyle that is no doubt extremely difficult to get out of. Also, when we would just say a simple, “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” to those leaving, the gratitude in their facial expressions was unbelievable.” - Regina ‘15
“YSOP really opened my eyes, and I don’t think it really hit me until I stumbled home, tired and exhausted, into a full kitchen and a warm bed after experiencing what so many New Yorkers go through on a daily basis. The trip really changed my perspective on two things – my pre-conceived notions about why people are homeless and also how I will respond now when I see someone unfortunate on the street. I was completely taken aback by the number of people in my own borough who need the food to survive…“ - Hannah ‘15
—Posted: December 20, 2011
