At U-High, sophomores have a requirement to fulfill 30 hours of community service. For many this is their first real exposure to giving back in a meaningful way. Some sophomores chose to volunteer at food banks, farmers’ markets and similar places while others chose to volunteer at senior living homes or child care centers.

Sophomore Sofia Schwartz has been helping at Temple Sholom in Lakeview since October preparing food every Monday night for those in need. 

Sofia: “I had the idea that I wanted to do something with my local synagogue. I wasn’t sure what that would be, but after some research I found out about this program that they did every Monday … I reached out to the justice coordinator at the synagogue and

she never replied to my email. I was kind of at a loss and I wasn’t sure what to do” 

Despite this initial uncertainty, Sofia was still determined to get involved. After reaching out to another person at the synagogue she was able to establish her position there volunteering.

Natural sound of kitchen

“Every Monday they open their doors to anybody who needs a warm meal in the community. We help prepare the meals and serve them to anybody who might be in need of a meal.”

Through her volunteer work, she quickly became immersed in the community and took on new responsibilities. With the support of leaders, she began to develop a deeper understanding of how her efforts could make a real impact in the community. U-High’s service learning coordinator, Katie Clendenning, oversees the project and guides students as they connect with various local organizations and navigate these experiences.

Ms. Clendenning: “I hear a lot from juniors and seniors that have had a little bit more time to reflect and that service helps them to kind of broaden  their worldview to see the world a little bit differently than just what we have here at Lab.”

The service experience, often outside of students’ comfort zones, teaches a new level of compassion and awareness for the struggles nearby communities face. Sofia has learned many lessons throughout her process.

Sofia: “It’s taught me about the importance of giving back and just like how much of a difference you can  make by doing something so simple, like making a meal, and how big of a difference that can make in someone’s day.”

Ms. Clendenning has also noticed this impact on students as they grow to become helpful members of a community. 

Ms Clendenning: “I think there’s then the community piece of meeting people, seeing the world from different perspectives, being able to put faces to some of the issues that we hear about and understand the humanity in that. 

From learning how to work with others to better understanding the people around them, the 30 hours of required service encourages students to grow outside of their comfort zone and into the communities around them. Reporting from U-High Midway, I’m Laila Valenti.