GSL Dedicates Time in Kansas City Over Winter Break

When most of us think about winter break, we think of it as a time to spend with family, reunite with friends, and relax from the hectic schedules that drained us during the previous semester.  And when that last week of break hits, most of us dive in our bed and soak up every last drop of hibernation possible.  

One group of Wesleyan students didn't operate on that same relax, eat, and sleep schedule.  This past break, the members of Global Service Learning (GSL) invited students to join them on their national trip to Kansas City, Missouri, where they assisted various organizations to help those in need.  The unique group consisted of 19 students and two leaders. 

To begin their five days of volunteering, the group divided in half, allowing them to reach more people in a short amount of time.  The first group volunteered at Operation Breakthrough, an organization that assists young children struck by poverty to stay on track to a safe and successful life.  

"It was really fun working with the kids," said sophomore Rachael Owen.  "Every day I learned a little bit more about myself and the degree of poverty in Kansas City.  By the end of the week, I was nowhere near ready to come home."

Meanwhile, the other half of the GSL members varied their sites throughout the week.  The first day the group spent at the Don Bosco Retirement Center, serving food to the elders and cleaning.  The following day, the group went to Sleepy Head Beds, an organization that picks up and delivers mattresses to kids in need.  

"I really enjoyed volunteering with Sleepyhead Beds.  It was such a privilege to work with a group so dedicated to providing for children in poverty while simultaneously bettering the community environmentally," said sophomore GSL member Kelsey Ahrends.

The following day, the group returned to Sleepy Head Beds and sorted sheets as well as delivered the beds to the houses.  Tired but not ready to end their service, they headed to Project Eagle, where they volunteered with the program "Reach Out and Read", a program that teaches preschool aged students how fun reading can be.  Later that day, they painted dorm rooms in a home for students with behavioral problems.

On the final day, the group returned to the Don Bosco Senior Center, then headed to Harvesters, an organization similar to that of the local food bank.  Harvesters, however, is one of the largest food distributers in the United States.

"It was definitely worth it!" said Owen.  "Seeing the faces of those we helped and getting to do something that truly benefited the Kansas City area gave me a feeling I will never forget."

GSL will host an all campus discussion about their experiences on Thursday, February 2.