Student Perspective:

I could not have found a better way to spend my Saturday morning than partaking in Community Action Day.

Excitement was in the air in front of Gallagher Student Center (GSC) as students checked in for Xavier's largest service event.

Community Action Day is an opportunity to spend time with friends doing community service around Cincinnati and becomeing educated about social issues.

Michelle Woodruff and Christine Kutis, the co-chairs of the board for Community Action Day, were especially thrilled about the event.

The day had a rainy start, but that did not stop students from coming out at 9 a.m.

The number of students who willingly sacrificed precious sleep to participate in Community Action Day was roughly 300—double the attendance from last year.

This Xavier tradition has been active for nine years and is a great example of Xavier's Jesuit heritage put into practice.

Breakfast was provided as well as lunch for students who volunteered; free t-shirts were provided for those who arrived before 8:30 a.m.

Twenty-two groups of students went to 19 service sites throughout Cincinnati.

There were many different sites to choose from, such as the Evanston Community Council, Grace Place Catholic Worker House, NEXUS Community Garden and more.

Service activities were unique at each location.

After completing service at the site, groups went to different locations in the city to reflect on the service completed.

I went to the Visions Community Services Center in the western end of Cincinnati. Visions is a child care center where teenage mothers and young parents can bring their children while they are at school or work. This non-profit organization's mission is to educate children in hopes that their education can help them achieve future success. Denise L. Steward, the director of Early Childhood Education at Visions, was a gracious host to the group of Xavier students who volunteered there. Because it was a Saturday and children were not at the center, we cleaned classrooms and the play room.