Catholic Charities recently hosted several engagement opportunities in the local Catholic Schools as a part of the First Step to Service Curriculum. The January session focused on poverty awareness across the Diocese of Youngstown, and students in all age groups were provided with a lesson summary and a corresponding activity. Attached to each activity was an optional service project and contest.
More than 1,000 students from about 35 classrooms and 12 schools across the diocese participated in these optional Design Contests and Service Projects. Below, you will find the prompts that the students received, plus the winning entries.
Student Prompt for “Helping Hands: Grades K-8“
The Church calls on all of us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first. This teaching and compassion for the poor and vulnerable should be reflected in both our daily lives and public policies. A fundamental measure of Our Common Home is how we care for and stand with our poor and vulnerable brothers and sisters.
Saint Teresa of Calcutta said, “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.”
Catholic Charities is dedicated to the practice of providing help and creating hope for those in need, whether it be food and a prayer, or shelter and a kind word. Take a moment to imagine what it would be like to be homeless and hopeless. Reflect on the simple and basic ways you are blessed. How would your life be different if you didn’t have a home to live in or hope for a bright future? Give thanks for the blessings in your life by sharing your gifts of time, talent & treasure with those less fortunate, even something as simple as a smile or artistic talent.
Prizes: $50 gift card and $100 gift for the classroom, plus a merchandise prize pack featuring winning design to share with principal, teacher and parents: one tote, two t-shirts and three coffee mugs
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Stefanie, Age 13, St. Christine School
“Helping Hands:Â Grades 9-12″
Prizes: $100 cash, a t-Shirt for their teacher and up to a $500 matching gift reward, based on the overall sales of the winning design. In this case, the matching gift was 379.50.
GRAND PRIZE WINNER: Wyatt, Grade 11, John F. Kennedy Upper Campus
Congratulations to the winners and all who participated! For more info on this contest and other Catholic Charities activities near you, visit their website!
