submitted by Donna Cuddihy
Sixth grade students at St. Mary’s Academy in Hoosick Falls traveled to the Sheridan Hollow neighborhood in Albany to visit guests staying in the emergency shelter at Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless (IPH).
[private]The students held a donation drive to collect over 100 boxes of cereal that will be offered to guests staying at IPH’s Safe Haven Shelter. The Safe Haven Shelter provides support for those that are literally homeless and have no other options for emergency shelter. The low demand environment provides a safe place to sleep each night for those struggling with untreated mental illness, addiction, or other complex issues that have prevented them from being successful in traditional shelters or obtaining stable housing. If it weren’t for the Safe Haven Shelter the homeless guests would be sleeping on the streets, in abandoned buildings and other places that are not meant for human habitation. As part of St. Mary’s Academy’s curriculum, students, teachers and staff show compassion and give attention to community organizations such as IPH. Their efforts make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate.
Student’s prepared tacos and enjoyed lunch with the emergency shelter guests. They also decorated a bulletin board, which displayed uplifting jokes, which brought smiles to the shelter guests.
Kindness and good deeds go a long way in making others feel cared for. St. Mary’s Academy has been making the annual trip to Albany during homeless awareness month (November) for the past six years.[/private]
