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College Students on Winter Recess Serve Needy in Hudson Valley Through Capuchin Youth Program
Students working at St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen in Newburgh
For the 12th consecutive year, Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries (CYFM), located in Garrison, recently sponsored its College Capuchin Outreach Program (CCOP). Geared for college students on winter recess, CCOP provides the opportunity for these young adults to directly engage in programs for the poor, sick, and disadvantaged in the Hudson Valley area.
During this year's program, which ran from January 8-12, an enthusiastic group of 30 college students and staff from CYFM spent their days in service at such organizations as Rosary Hill, a home for people living with end stages of cancer, in Hawthorne; Newburgh Ministries, a day shelter for the poor, Habitat for Humanity and St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen both in Newburgh; Inspire, a school for autistic children in Goshen; and Cortlandt Manor Continual Care Nursing Home in Cortlandt Manor.
Students spent their evenings at CYFM's St. Francis Retreat Center socializing, reflecting in small groups on their experiences of the day at the different work sites, participating in prayer services, enjoying meals together, and getting a good night's sleep.
Catherine Shieh, a senior at the University of Maryland, shares a reflection of her experience. "I spent my week at St. Patrick's Soup Kitchen and at the Newburgh Ministry Drop-In Center. I can't even begin to say how wonderful it was to work with the volunteers and to serve those in need in the city of Newburgh. These places were havens within a seemingly cold and uncaring city. It was a joy to work with those who shared my faith and wanted to give what they could and it was humbling to serve and speak with the less fortunate of Newburgh. This opportunity helped me to really appreciate the blessings within my own life; things that I take for granted every day such as shelter, food, transportation, education, and family. I was also profoundly struck by the strength found in those who live with far less, the dignity with which they live by, and the hope with which their lives are fueled. From this experience, I have come to know a little bit of the beauty that God must see in all of his children and the love and compassion showered upon His creation."
CYFM's Executive Director, Tom Brinkmann says, "College COP draws special people to participate; faith filled people who are committed to service. It gives these generous college students not only an opportunity to engage in service, but to do that within the context of a supportive Christian community. So many people benefit; obviously the people we serve at our work site. Also, every participant leaves renewed in his or her faith and with renewed commitment and energy to serve elsewhere."
For the past 30 years, Capuchin Youth & Family Ministries, a ministry of the Capuchin Franciscans of the Province of St. Mary, has been reaching out to young people and their families through retreats, parish ministry and service to the poor. Other CYFM sponsored outreach ministries include Capuchin Outreach Program, a five-day summer experience for high school students modeled on College COP; and Capuchin Appalachian Mission, a week-long opportunity for teens and adults to serve the people of Harlan, Kentucky, by bringing basic necessities to families in need, building and repairing homes, and running a vacation bible school for children.
For more information about these and other programs at CYFM contact us at 845-424-3609 or check out their website at www.cyfm.org.
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