Catholic teens serve Portland’s most vulnerable
For the second year, teenagers from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Tenafly traveled to Portland, Maine, to serve over 200 of the city’s most vulnerable through cooking, cleaning, landscaping, and organizing efforts. Nearly 50 teens and adults participated in the Catholic service trip, which took place from June 23 – 29.
Elliot Guerra, Director of Mission Development and Confirmation at the parish and Dean of Discipline at the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, led the trip.
Serving locals in need
The trip’s mission was simple and profound: to serve through acts of kindness and support those in need.
The teens volunteered with Catholic Charities of Maine at several locations in Portland. The St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen provided hot lunches to approximately 140 guests daily. They also worked with Partners for World Health, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving healthcare outcomes in underserved communities locally and internationally. Students volunteered at the St. Elizabeth’s Child Development Center, cleaning the playground and weeding.
At St. Anne’s Food Bank, they assisted in providing food to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Additionally, they supported Asylee House, a transitional housing facility that offers temporary accommodation and essential services to newly arrived immigrants.
“Our goal was to give comfort to the afflicted and afflict the comfortable,” Guerra said. “The trip not only provides vital assistance to the local community but also aims to deepen the faith of our youth.”
Teens learn responsibility and gratitude
Ondrej Reiser, a 16-year-old parishioner, was on his third service trip with the parish.
“I think being charitable is a fundamental part of the Catholic faith,” he said. “We aim to walk in Jesus’ footsteps and follow his example of putting others before ourselves.”
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Reiser, an altar server at the parish, noted that the most profound aspect of the trip was witnessing the hundreds of people in need being served at the soup kitchen. He found it inspiring to impact so many lives through volunteering significantly. “Knowing that I positively affected so many people in one day, I can’t imagine how many we can help over a year.”
Ondrej’s brothers, William and Joseph, also participated in the trip. The boys noted that the volunteer trip over the last several years has profoundly impacted their lives. Being able to do it together, as brothers, has also made the experience even more meaningful and empowered them to continue volunteering in the future.
Similarly, 14-year-old Abel Asnake, who recently graduated from the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, noted his connections with the people he was serving.
“When we were serving at the soup kitchen, seeing all kinds of people walk in, it was very deep for me. Serving them was an honor,” Asnake said.
He said he learned not to take anything for granted. “Others may not have what privileges that you may have. This lesson has impacted my daily life immensely and made me learn to be more grateful,” he said.
Teens pray and reflect together
The program included daily Mass at 7 a.m. and community service the rest of the day. Additionally, the group hosted evening reflections at the local church for the students to reflect on their experiences and the impact of their service.
Guerra said the teens found the sessions to be the most impactful part of the trip. He also said the trip allowed students to experience the power of the Eucharist and prayer.
Pablo Zarate Diez, 13, who attends the Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, said the trip taught him responsibility and independence and prompted him to reflect on his privilege. “I learned to be more appreciative and responsible when doing tasks in my community.”
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A tangible impact
Kelly Day, Director of Volunteer Services at Catholic Charities of Maine, expressed her gratitude for the group’s contributions. She noted their contributions greatly supported the mission of “providing relief and hope” to those in need in Portland.
They always visit for their service week the last week of June,” Day said. “This year, they helped at our St. Elizabeth’s Child Development Center, beautifying the grounds and making the yard safer for the children. Their efforts at our Central Services business office made our work environment more organized and welcoming.”
She noted that several projects, including landscaping work at the Asylee House, would not have been possible without the group’s help. “The work was so needed, and now staff, clients, and volunteers have a nice place to go to reflect, take lunch breaks, sit, relax, and enjoy.”
Looking ahead, Guerra plans to continue the Portland trip annually. “We hope this trip inspires our teens to continue serving others and to integrate the values of service and gratitude into their lives.”
Featured Image: Nearly 50 teens and adults from Our Lady of Mount Carmel traveled to Portland, Me. to serve the city’s most vulnerable communities. (Our Lady of Mount Carmel)
