Kate Thel, second from the right, poses with members of the Lazarus House kitchen staff
Kate Thel traveled to Lazarus House in Lawrence, Ma. this summer worried about how she would navigate being with people in poverty. Ms. Thel was uneasy and expected to be uncomfortable, but then she met those being served.
“I came in wanting to learn how to interact with people in poverty,” Ms. Thel said. “I quickly realized it was not a new style that I needed to learn. It is no different than any other interaction I have had whole my life.”
Ms. Thel, a rising Notre Dame sophomore, came to Lazarus House through the university’s Summer Service Learning Program, funded in Massachusetts by the alumni of the Notre Dame Club of Boston.
“It has tremendous impact on them,” said Ted Gorrie, a member of its board, who believes students coming face-to-face with marginalized populations gain a new perspective on their own lives.
There are less demanding service programs than Lazarus House, which provides food, clothing, shelter and job training to tens of thousands in the Merrimack Valley of Massachusetts. Ms. Thel said her faith drew her to the challenging work done there.
“I really have been very fortunate my whole life,” said Ms. Thel, who grew up in an affluent community and knew the difficulty of working outside her comfort zone.
“I have lived a privileged life going to private schools and having the opportunity to attend Notre Dame. But I have always been aware of the inequalities in American society.”
It was the daily interactions and connections with Lazarus House Guests at the soup kitchen and food pantry that taught the life lesson that people are not defined by a single word that may describe their current circumstance.
She was struck by what resonates with so many visitors to the Lazarus House Ministry: More than anything else, Lazarus House is devoted to restoring dignity and self-respect.
“Every person is equal and should be treated that way. Interacting with the homeless or people of different backgrounds is no different than any other interaction I have had whole my life,” said Ms. Thel, who now treasures a Notre Dame hat worn by a soup kitchen guest.
“I told him I went to Notre Dame and he offered it to me,” she said. “He said, ‘Wash it and keep it.’ I have it at school and it reminds me that everyone has the ability and the desire to also help others.”
Ms. Thel received a small stipend and scholarship for her work.
“It allows a student who might feel pressure to get a paid internship to immerse themselves in community service without a penalty,” said MR. Gorrie, adding that the Notre Dame alumni also provide free housing, gas and food money to the students.
While the summer of service made an important contribution to the work of providing food and care to those in need, Mr. Gorrie believes students like Ms. Thel get back so much more than they put into it.
“What I will continually read in their reflections is that Lazarus House is the most memorable experience of their four years at Notre Dame,” he said. “They grow so much as an individual and they have more capacity than they thought.”
“It has definitely made me consider that I want my role in the world to help those who are need and live on the margins,” said Ms. Thel.