Youth strengthen faith in Christ through community service

By LYNELLE A. MILLER

July 21, 2006 08:57 pm

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In one week they have built a wheelchair ramp, helped many with disabilities clean their homes, done countless hours of yard work and home repairs, baby-sat, painted and helped out at all kinds of Madison County organizations from the YMCA to the Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Even after all that work, they have still managed to maintain an unlimited supply of enthusiasm and love for Christ.
No, they are not seasoned missionaries, but more than 250 youth participating in the Catholic HEART Workcamp.
Catholic HEART Workcamp, with HEART standing for Helping Everyone Attain Repairs Today, is 14-year-old program in which youth volunteer one week of the summer to travel to a city to help with improvements, all while showing Christ’s love.
“It is to bring campers closer to Christ through service and bring residents and staff and workers to Christ through serving,” said Laura Soverns, camp manager and parishioner of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Anderson. “They are doing all kinds of jobs including hard labor, but everyone of them comes back in on fire everyday for Christ.”
The program runs throughout the summer beginning in June and ending in August where high-school aged youth and adults from parishes all over the United States can come together to better a community.
“We have hosted a group for two summers now,” said Laura. “We will continue until there is no more work to be done in Anderson.”
Not only are the students working in Anderson, but all around Madison County. “They are everyone from Markleville to Alexandria to Frankton and one group is in Ingalls,” said Tony Soverns, camp troubleshooter.
The work camp was welcomed by South Madison Community Schools and has been camping out at Maple Ridge Elementary School. Eating meals, sleeping in classrooms and holding worship services in the gym, Laura said the elementary school has been the perfect home for the camp.
There are 12 parishes involved from all over including Wisconsin, Tennessee, Ohio, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. Within the group, 41 teams were formed and as of Wednesday, they were approaching 60 service projects. “Once a team finishes, we move them onto another project,” said Laura. “These teens are doing an excellent job.”
Jean Wright, CEO of Gateway Child Development Center, agrees.
“They are building us a wheelchair accessible sandbox for our students,” she said. “They have done a fantastic job. It’s such a blessing to have them work for us. They did have a chance to work with the kids in the classroom as well and it helped (our students) get excited about what (the workers) are doing on the playground. I know our kids really enjoyed playing with the older youth and it’s just a great experience.”
Not only are local residents and organizations benefiting from the teens’ hard work, but the youth are taking away just as much, if not more from this week.
“(My group) is at a ladies house who is a single mom with four kids,” said Sarah Moore, 15. “We are replacing doors and windows and she is so grateful. It’s letting my faith grow more.”
“This has helped strengthen my relationship with Christ,” said Rachel Bartone, 17. “My favorite part is going on to help the residents and seeing their reaction. It’s very rewarding. I also love the evening programs and meeting people from other churches.”
Along with service every evening, a large worship service is held with lots of contemporary music, skits, activities and prayer. “It’s an all-around uplifting experience both learning service and praising Christ,” said Tony Soverns.

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