Volunteers 1st Project
March 2009 was the second time
that Regis College had the opportunity to spend their Spring Break serving the
city of Jonestown, Mississippi; a small poverty-stricken area with a population
of about 2,500 residents. While there, they had the opportunity to work with
Linda McGrew, who is the director of Community Development Resource and
Activity Center (CD-RAC). CD-RAC is a non-profit organization located in
Jonestown and was established in May 2004. Their primary focus is youth
development, which is made clear to every volunteer group that comes to serve
the community. The organization is run solely by Linda and operates on volunteers,
fundraising, and donations from people right here in Mississippi. Also from other places all around the United
States like Massachusetts; because they do not receive any federal funding.
The Regis College spent their week investing their time helping a local pastor in installing drywall and painting the Baptismal Font at their local church. Even though they had a lot of fun helping a local pastor, they went to another church and also cleaned out their loft and choir balcony. This was the same church where they attended service and bible study, while there. They also had the opportunity to paint their four-room community center, where all the children of the area would come after school for programs that they ran during the week. The group taught the children new songs, helped them with their homework, and made sure that the children were happy for the few hours that they got to spend with them every day. The children seemed to be the main focus of the CD-RAC, as mentioned before. Linda had a strong belief that in order to bring the city of Jonestown together, they needed to work with the youth and make them feel like they have the ability to make positive changes.
The Regis College spent their week investing their time helping a local pastor in installing drywall and painting the Baptismal Font at their local church. Even though they had a lot of fun helping a local pastor, they went to another church and also cleaned out their loft and choir balcony. This was the same church where they attended service and bible study, while there. They also had the opportunity to paint their four-room community center, where all the children of the area would come after school for programs that they ran during the week. The group taught the children new songs, helped them with their homework, and made sure that the children were happy for the few hours that they got to spend with them every day. The children seemed to be the main focus of the CD-RAC, as mentioned before. Linda had a strong belief that in order to bring the city of Jonestown together, they needed to work with the youth and make them feel like they have the ability to make positive changes.
Volunteers Throughout the Years
Throughout the year many different volunteers has come through CD-RAC doors and changed lives and touched heart. They came into Jonestown, MS with one purpose, to help, and that's exactly what they do. The volunteer solely focus on rebuilding the community and helping the youth. Some of them give up their spring breaks and even summer vacation time and time again to lend the citizen of Jonestown, MS a hand. On the behalf of the Community Development, Resource and Activity Center (CD-RAC) we thank you. We thank you the volunteers for yours years of hard work and dedication. We thank the volunteers for their support and time. The volunteers near and far play a huge role in CD-RAC. We wouldn't be able to accomplish the things we do without their help. The CD-RAC speaks of the volunteers locally that lend a hand right here in their own community. Also we speak of the volunteers that travel so far to help. We are so grateful for you all. Keep up the good work.
Thank You Volunteers For Your Outstanding Service!
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