CDH Students Give Back Through Monthly Service Opportunities

Each month, students, faculty, and staff have the unique opportunity to give back to our local community through Habitat for Humanity and Leap Forward For Children. Mr. Peter Gleich, from Campus Ministry reflects on these two important ministries.

Habitat for Humanity

St. Paul Park and West St. Paul were the building sites for our two fall Habitat for Humanity construction days. Our team of students and staff worked hard on some importance tasks such as the installation of laminate flooring, removal of three stories of scaffolding, installing fiberglass insulation into interior walls, and the construction of load-bearing beams.   

As our fall season ends and winter is soon upon us, the importance of safe, quality, affordable housing becomes even more apparent. The importance of a stable housing, a place to put down roots, to feel safe, and to celebrate the blessings of being a family are all core facets of Habitat for Humanity’s mission, and that of CDH. Our entire school community, students, staff, parents, and alumni continue to be blessed by our ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity.

A special thank you to our fall volunteers: Patrick Connors, Nickolas Owsley, Mary Grace Shearon, Leah Anfang, Mia Gardner, Nora Jolowsky, Ella Panian, Brenna Taylor, Mr. Sam Vetch, Ms. Sophie Mongoven (St. Joseph Worker), Mr. Jerry Macken, Mr. Jonathan Krejci’06, and Mr. Peter Gleich.

Our upcoming building days are January 26 and April 20. Parents, guardians, alumni, and friends are invited to be a part of our Habitat for Humanity experience. Come spend a day with some awesome students, learn a new carpentry skill, and help a family know the joy and blessing of having a place to call home. Please note that Archdiocesan VIRTUS Training is required in advance to assist as a volunteer.

Wilder Foundation "Leap Forward For Children"

Does it get any better than this: the opportunity to spend Halloween morning Trick-or-Treating with preschool children all in costume? It was clear to the over 25 students who signed up to volunteer at Wilder Foundation’s Child Development Center in St. Paul’s Frogtown that there was no other place that they would like to be!

CDH students and staff continue to be blessed by the opportunity to partner with the staff, children and parents of the Child Development Center, assisting in helping to prepare the children for entry into kindergarten. Whether it be Halloween trick-or-treating, a field trip to the Como Zoo, arts and crafts in the classroom or outdoor play and games, important life skills and life lesson are being taught and learned, by both big kids and little kids.

A special thanks to our students and staff who participated in our Halloween Leap: Jullian Anderson,  Stella Dolan, Caroline Greenheck, Lauren Loeffler, James McQuillan, Elizabeth Mooney, Izzy Ostrom, Charlie Phythian, Alice Spong, Eden Wells, Myah Wells, Mr. Sam Vetch, Ms. Sophie Mongoven (St. Joseph Worker), and Mr. Tim Teuber.

This year's remaining Leap Forward for Children days will be on December 18, January 22, February 15, March 12 and April 23. All students, staff, parents and guardians are invited to participate in our Wilder “Leap Forward For Children” days.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding our Wilder Foundation “Leap Forward For Children” Day or CDH Habitat for Humanity opportunities, please contact Peter Gleich.