On March 8, fourteen students from Tampa Catholic High School visited to volunteer as they sought to live their faith. Tampa Hope is a shelter for adult, homeless community members of the City of Tampa that Catholic Charities opened on December 13, 2021. The day was the idea of Maggie Rogers, Catholic Charities’ Executive Director, whose son is a Tampa Catholic student. Said, Mrs. Rogers, “ the idea came from my son, who told me that ‘Tampa Catholic exists to glorify God’ and that one of those ways ‘is serving the community.’”
As part of their curricula, Tampa Catholic students are taught their faith in religious education courses. Mrs. Jina Masters, the Religious Ed teacher thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for these Juniors and Seniors to live their faith by helping the underserved:
“It is a big win anytime a teacher can take theoretical ideas and transform them into concrete experiences. In this case, engaging with neighbors in our town that are needing support was a gift because it allowed our students to be true servants of Christ.”
The students had an idea of what they might see due to classes they had on ‘Preferential Option for the Poor’ which helped open their eyes to the Church’s teaching on the dignity of every human person. During their nearly 6-hours of on the campus, they performed various tasks with charity, compassion and humility:
- assisted staff in signing-in (completing forms) newly arrived clients
- created ‘Welcome’ bags of toiletries and other necessities for the clients
- escorted the clients and their belongings to their tents
- created vegetable and flower “Earthboxes” for the camp mini-garden
- served lunch to the resident clients
In serving the Tampa Hope clients, the students acted out on Christ’s Gospel Mandate to help those in need. Said Mrs. Masters, “What is so fantastic about our service at Tampa Hope is that it touches on EVERY one of the 7 Catholic Social Teachings! We even covered “Care for God’s Creation” by helping to beautify the grounds with flower boxes the students planted.”
As for the students, how did their day impact them. Several of them shared their thoughts:
- “This work is transformative for the soul.”
- “It’s truly humbling to be able to reach people that are most in need.”
- “It frees my perspective from its self-centered box.”
- “My experience at Tampa Hope gifts me the reminder to take no blessing, big or small, for granted.”
- “It opened my eyes to a new perspective and allowed me to help others in the ways Jesus would do for all of us.”
- “I was able to help others in my Tampa community that were less fortunate and be a resource for them to be able get back up on their feet and make their life better.”
- “Going to Tampa Hope was the best experience I ever had.”
- “It was a great opportunity to show people like me things they can do to support others who are in need.”
- “I am so happy I was able to volunteer there to help those in my community.”
But the students were not the only ones positively impacted. Both staff and clients were blessed to be part of the day. According to Camp Director, Ms. Cynthia Jones-Northington, “it was a great experience for the students who really appreciated how our guests are in brought into the program. I could see their experience was enlightening”. While none of the residents wished to be quoted, we can report, one resident assisted as students put together a basketball hoop. Sweet Ms. Caleda enjoyed chit chatting with the students and complimented them on the flower boxes they were making, while Mr. Reginald literally applauded the students in serving food at lunch time.
Another person who was positively impacted by the Tampa Catholic Day of Service at Tampa Hope, was Dottie Cesario, a volunteer who, with her husband Ben, taught the students how to create the “Earthboxes”. Dottie and Ben love teaching others to enjoy their passion. Dottie, mother of a Catholic Charities supporter, said, “Ben and I love to grow and love to share that joy. We know that if you can instill the love of gardening and growing your own fresh vegetables it is something that can last a lifetime. She beautifully summed up what the day meant for students and clients alike:
“Perhaps the best part however was that we also planted marigolds along with the tomatoes and cucumbers. One of the blossoms fell off as we were planting. I placed behind the ear of one of the teen girls (who loved digging in the dirt). When one of the homeless residents approached us and told us how she missed her gardens now that she didn’t have a home, the young teen took the flower from her own hair and placed it the woman’s hand. That simple act of kindness showed the beautiful heart of that teenager. That alone made it worth the time and energy.”
As this young person lived her faith, Christ calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves. That is the essence of being a Christian – simple acts of kindness towards our neighbors. On this day, everyone – the Tampa Catholic students, the Tampa Hope staff and volunteers, and the Tampa Hope guest clients – shared in that hope and joy!
Tampa Hope provides a safe living environment for homeless individuals; providing meals, clothing, counseling and more as they work to return to the path of self-sufficiency. Click here to learn more! To donate cash now, text TAMPAHOPE to 91999. Click here to donate!
