Italy
(by Sister Laura Canali, Missionary of Mary)
The first time I returned from the USA, I was asked what my impression had been. I immediately replied: «Volunteering».
In this fast-paced society, always on the move and constantly searching, volunteering is a hidden yet vibrant and concrete network that constitutes its soul.
Even today I can say the same thing, because there is no aspect of American life that is not touched by volunteer work. What always strikes me is the novelty and creativity with which people undertake and devise initiatives to lend a hand in the face of ever-new emergencies.
The essence of volunteering: giving back to the community
The DNA of volunteering is encapsulated in the idiomatic expression: «to give back to the community», meaning «returning to the community what it has given me, striving to improve it by helping those in need».
This time, I would like to focus on the volunteer work of several university students. In Worcester there are 12 universities, almost all of them top-tier institutions. In all of them, there are students active across various fields of volunteering.
Miryam, a student at the «Worcester Polytechnic Institute», being an athlete, has always understood the importance of healthy nutrition; for this reason, she is particularly sensitive to the issue of food scarcity.
From a very young age, she began collaborating with agencies dealing with food insecurity. Once in university, she joined the «Food Recovery Network», whose members aim to fight hunger and recover leftover food from dining halls.
Last year they collected 2,500 pounds (over one ton) of food, which was donated to «Friendly House», an association in Worcester that attends to local poverty.
Youth and solidarity: Morgan and Emily’s commitments
Morgan, a student at «Holy Cross College», used to make «duct tape» bracelets as a child, donating half of the proceeds to charitable organizations. For her family, it was essential to do something to improve the lives of others.
Once at the university, studying neuroscience, she focused her volunteer efforts on young people with disabilities aged 18 to 25, helping them become as independent as possible. After graduation, Morgan would like to continue working with individuals with disabilities, while remaining open to any form of social work.
Emily has always been active in various fields of volunteering. Upon entering Assumption University, she chose to collaborate with «Habitat for Humanity», an organization that builds and repairs homes for low-income families.
In Worcester, Emily and the other group members work for «Re-store», a large «thrift shop» that collects all possible items—new or in good condition—to resell them and thus fund the works of «Habitat for Humanity».
Walking together toward a more dignified future
I could go on documenting countless activities and volunteers, all sharing a single, profound desire: to help people lead a more dignified life and ensure that society leaves no one behind, because we are all walking together toward the «New heavens and new earths» promised by the Lord Jesus.
Photo by Rashpal Singh su Unsplash
Source: «Sto alla porta e busso», Como CMD Resource 2025, 34-35
