Hefting Furniture for “Bridging” to Secure Housing

Ryan and two classmates, Emily and Ana, chose to use existing connections through St. Catherine University’s Community Work and Learning Center to volunteer at Bridging, Inc. , an organization that helps furnish homes for people people in transition from homelessness, immigration, or other insecure housing. The three classmates cooperated with carpooling to get to and from their volunteer site at one of Bridging Inc.’s furniture warehouses. They put in 20 hours working on site, and also tabled on campus, bringing increased awareness of housing insecurity and Bridging Inc.’s solution to fellow students. They cooperated as well in recording their experience in photographs and a video. Each created a her own e-portfolio. All three students expressed pride in their accomplishments, a deepened insight into housing issues, and greater confidence in their own ability to make a difference.