Roberti Community House is a valued community organization in Waukegan, and particularly with the CRSM community. Roberti Community House assists those in need with a multitude of resources such as health service referrals, educational workshops, and access to food. CRSM has volunteered with the organization since 2015, and has expanded to send several student interns to work at the Community House through the Corporate Work Study Program (CWSP). When volunteering through the campus ministry program with Roberti Community House, our students most often help out in their after school program.
While Roberti Community House is open to individuals in the Waukegan community of all ages, the afterschool program caters to the younger demographic. The purpose of this program is to alleviate the financial burden of childcare for parents in the Waukegan area, as well as give the kids a safe and positive environment to be involved in.
Pam Fisher, the Volunteer Coordinator at RCH, remarks how extremely helpful the Cristo Rey students have been in their program. “We truly value the relationship we have with Cristo Rey St. Martin. The students are always helpful to the kids in the afterschool program, and are constantly learning and growing during their time with Roberti Community House.”
Pam continues, “We are all here to share with each other and learn from each other.” It’s apparent that the afterschool program gives this to our students. They assist with the afterschool program, work in the kitchen to prepare food for the community through CWSP, and they in turn learn how to be leaders and role models for others.
Allison S., a CRSM freshman, is a consistent and enthusiastic volunteer with the Community House. Allison recalls one activity in particular where everyone “gave compliments to each other, and every compliment you gave, gives you a sticker on your badge”. This was a fun way for volunteers like Allison and the program recipients to spread and receive positive affirmations. Allison enthuses that her experience overall has been great, and states “I really like going because helping others makes me feel good.”
The Slogan of Roberti Community House is ‘Empowering the best in our neighborhood, community, and ourselves.’ CRSM is extremely grateful to Roberti Community House for helping our students become leaders and giving them the opportunity to work with such a crucial part of the Waukegan community.