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Hesed House: Volunteerism and Donation

Kari Huizenga
Mar 1, 2016
3 min read

Hello friends! Today on the blog we are going to talk about how you can give back. Last semester in my Global Justice class, we focused heavily on giving back to the community and becoming an advocate for a cause close to your heart.

One of the issues discussed during the semester was homelessness. Our class visited Hesed House, a local homeless shelter in Aurora to gain some perspective on the subject. Having a tour of the facility was an incredibly eye-opening experience. We had the opportunity to learn more about what Hesed House does and how we can contribute the mission of the shelter.

Professor Sarah Radkte was a major reason why my class and I felt a connection to the shelter. By taking our studies into the real world, it made an even bigger impact on our learning. I met up with Dr. Radtke this week to ask her again why she thinks it is valuable for students to get involved in their community through volunteering.

“Exposure is really important. I think students can benefit by really having a better understanding of financial hardships in this country and the importance of giving back," said Radtke. “There is inherent value in giving back. You feel better about yourself and it is a very meaningful contribution to society. There are endless volunteer opportunities available at Hesed House.”

Here on Campus Meets Community, I stress the importance of doing something to fit your college schedule and budget. At Hesed House, they are looking for immediate need items that they encourage the community to donate. These items can range from hygiene products to warm socks and clothing.

This weekend, instead of visiting Rise Pies or buying a student rush ticket to the Paramount Theatre, why not use ten dollars to purchase a few items for people in need? I found items listed on the Hesed House website at Dollar General and created a small care package. By purchasing just a couple products for men and women in need, you can give back while staying on a college budget.

If you want to help Hesed House out in a different way, you can also volunteer at the shelter. Ben Stachowiack, a junior Athletic Training major at Aurora University, has taken time from his busy schedule to work with children who live at Hesed House. Ben has nothing but positivity for the Hesed house and his volunteering experience.

“My experience there (the Hesed House) was amazing. I got to play basketball, dodge ball, and whiffle ball with the kids. As much as it is supposed to be fun for them, it is really fun for me as well,” he said. “It is pretty amazing that I have been able to volunteer three times so far and they remember my name and that I play hockey. It really shows how much of an impact we have on them.”

Ben agrees that giving back to the community is important for students. He realizes that the community does a lot for AU students, and it is vital that we do our part to pay it forward.

“I feel it helps a lot as far as opening my eyes to giving more to others and making me a better person than I was before I started volunteering. I suggest that more people go and take a few hours just to help.”

Whether you choose donate select items or volunteer your time, you are still making an impact in the lives of individuals in need at Hesed House. For more information about how to volunteer or schedule a tour visit their website.

Please take advantage of volunteer and donation opportunities in the Aurora area. As college students, we have the opportunity to make a difference, even if we need to start on a smaller scale. No matter the size of your donation or the amount of hours you volunteer, you can still make an impact.

Check out the slide show below to see what I donated to Hesed House!

Thank you for visiting Campus Meets Community. A new blog post will go up next Monday.