Blog: 2020 Devlin SAFE Service Immersion Trip

Details: Devlin SAFE 2020 Service Immersion Trip
Location: New Orleans, La.
- This is the 11th year of BC's Service Immersion Trip and our ninth visit to New Orleans
- This year, the BC student-athletes are working with the Soles 4 Souls organization to distribute shoes to children in need at four different locations in New Orleans.

Blog Entry Day 4 - Friday, Jan. 10, 2020
Today was our third day in Louisiana. We traveled about an hour from New Orleans to Baton Rouge where arrived at J. K Haynes Elementary school and were introduced to some of the amazing staff. We then headed to the auditorium to set up for shoe distribution -- we distributed over 200 pairs of shoes to kids ranging from pre-K to sixth grade. After lunch we participated in a field day with all the kids! We played games like dodge ball and sharks and minnows.

It was great to spend a full day connecting with children in the neighborhood. To celebrate an amazing trip, we went to a traditional Louisiana restaurant that served the world's best fried catfish. Following dinner, we spent some time as a group reflecting on the past few days and the experiences we were fortunate to have had here in Louisiana. There is a collective sense of gratitude for this experience that will continue to fuel our passion towards service once back at BC!

- Roni Diniz (Mens Soccer)
- Ireland Burke (Football)
- Emily Buttinger (Field Hockey)

Student-athletes pose as part of the Devlin SAFE 2020 Service Immersion Trip

Blog Entry Day 3 - Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020
Today was our second day here in Louisiana, full of life changing experiences. We started our morning off at Ozanam Inn, a homeless shelter in downtown New Orleans. During our time there, we split into two groups. Downstairs the first group helped organize a pantry full of donated food and the second group toured the facility, helping out with the laundry and food preparations. We were able to listen and learn from some of the members of Ozanam Inn. They were able to touch us with their stories of how they overcame tragedy and hardship. This was an eye opening experience for our group.

Following that we reunited with our tour guide Dave, who showed us around St. Charles Avenue. On this street we saw the unique architecture of this historic town, and were able to visit the houses of celebrities such as Drew Brees, Sandra Bullock, Beyoncé & JayZ, and more.

After that, we stopped for lunch at Café Reconcile, a non profit restaurant where we were served by at risk youth receiving job training. We were able to eat more famous New Orleans traditional dishes. After lunch we headed over to Southeast Louisiana location of the Boy's and Girl's club. There we split into two groups, one helping with homework and the other playing different indoor activities with the children. Later on we started the shoe and coat distribution. We distributed 77 pairs shoes, socks, and coats. This was another humbling experience for us, to see how a simple act can have a larger impact on someone's life. The joy we saw on their faces is something we will remember and cherish forever. Next, we traveled to Frenchman Street where we stopped and ate at Willie's Chicken Shack. We ended the night by walking Frenchman Street, taking in its beauty and all it had to offer. We can't wait for what tomorrow has in store for us!

- Jewel Strawberry (Volleyball)
- Cassidy Weeks (Lacrosse)

Blog Entry Day 2 - Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2020
Today was our first full day in Louisiana. We woke up early to get a head start on the morning. We met with our tour guide, Dave, at roughly 9 a.m. and he briefly showed us a map of the area, focusing on the areas affected by Katrina which we had seen throughout our tour on Tuesday. We walked through the New Orleans and saw historical areas, including Bourbon Street, Louis Armstrong park, the French quarter, and so much more. Through this tour, we learned about the culture of the people, of the music, and of the history of the town. We had the chance enrich ourselves in the food culture, which included a delicious lunch of po boys and muffulettas, followed by the famous Café Du Mond, where we ate beignets. After lunch, we headed to the boys and girls club for our first distribution. We handed out about 80 pairs of shoes, socks, and coats. We got to know the kids a little when we fit them with their shoes and coats, helping them try on the apparel and finding the perfect size. While at the club, we were fortunate to get to interact with the children, playing games outside and working on homework together. We hated to leave because we had such a wonderful time. It was so meaningful because we got to work with kids hands on. They were so kind and polite and full of joy. While we were there, it was so impactful to see the happiness that new clothes brought the kids. While the kids got coats for the winter and new shoes, we took away just as much as they did from the experience. We were reminded about how fortunate we are, and how something as basic as shoes can much such a difference. We ended the day at a wonderful restaurant, enjoying jambalaya and gumbo, while celebrating Caitlin's birthday. We are excited to see what comes next in the days following, as we move onto new distribution locations.

- Clare Naughton (Volleyball)
- Kennedy Labshere (Softball)
- Ellie Mataya (Softball)
- Courtney Weeks (Lacrosse)

Student-athletes pose at the boys and girls club as part of the Devlin SAFE 2020 Service Immersion Trip

Blog Entry Day 1 - Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2020
We landed in New Orleans this afternoon and we're very excited to know our journey has just begun. Many of us were intrigued by the New Orleans landscape on our way to the hotel. Since many of us have not been to New Orleans before, it was definitely fascinating to be exposed to different surroundings and a different lifestyle than many of us are used to.

After we settled at the hotel, a few students put in extra time to practice their sport and workout before we all headed to dinner. We ate dinner at a place called Backyard which everyone really liked. We're excited to try different foods while being in New Orleans, and hope to keep our minds open to perhaps even trying something new. At dinner a fellow restaurant guest was impressed with work that we would be doing this week and purchased us a cake to welcome us to New Orleans and thank us for our work, which was really incredible. After dinner we had a meeting to talk about how to make the best out of this experience and other logistics for tomorrow. We're eager and excited to learn more about New Orleans' history tomorrow on our tour and meet and help children at the Boys and Girls Club! We can't wait to see where this journey takes us, and we hope to engage in eye-opening experiences that we'll never forget.

- Francesca Venezia (Women's Soccer)
- Kate Pianko (Field Hockey)

Participating Student-Athletes:
Ireland Burke - Football
Emily Buttinger - Field Hockey
Ronaldinho Diniz - Men's Soccer
Kennedy Labshere - Softball
Ellie Mataya - Softball
Clare Naughton - Volleyball
Kate Pianko - Field Hockey
Jewel Strawberry - Volleyball
Francesca Venezia - Women's Soccer
Courtney Weeks - Lacrosse
Cassidy Weeks - Lacrosse

Blog: 2020 Devlin SAFE Service Immersion Trip

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