Clarke Students Journey to Cincinnati for Mission Trip

Director of Campus Ministry Hunter Darrouzet led a mission trip of Clarke students to Cincinnati, Ohio, over spring break. They stayed at the Tau House run by Franciscans for the Poor and participated in various service work projects.

Allison Evans, Grace Friederick, Brooke Chapman, Taylor Prier and Cecelia Bean journeyed with Hunter to Cincinnati March 5-10. The Tau House Director, Marci Peebles, arranged for them to serve at four different locations throughout the week. They spent time at New Life Furniture, where they loaded furniture and packed bedding sets and kitchen boxes for organizations to deliver throughout the community.

They also heard a presentation from a man who was formerly homeless and now part of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition. They participated in activities at Stepping Stones, a non-profit United Way partner who works with individuals with disabilities. The group also took part in “Art for All People,” a community effort to learn about helping others through painting. In addition, they served at the Rose Garden Home Mission with the Franciscan Daughters of Mary, giving out hundreds of pounds of food and many baby baskets full of supplies for expecting mothers.

Hunter shared, “All of the places where we served tried to meet the needs of the homeless and did not ask for any identification or had any criteria other than a person was in need.

“One thing was kind of sad,” he continued. “Some of the food that was given out was not always the healthiest, though the organizations clearly tried. This is because of a rule stating that if you don’t ask for any ID, you can only give out what people donate and, unfortunately, people often only donate unhealthy food. At the Rose Garden Home Mission, we set out snacks for the kids when they got out of school. The Mother Superior saw one child eat eight pop tarts, but she didn’t intervene because she knew that was his only meal.”

Cecelia said, “We did a lot of work and we had good times. I got to spend time with nuns, who are my favorite people. I even got to see a relic of Saint Cecilia!”

Allison added, “Alongside working in the community, one of my favorite moments was when we were able to share dinner with the Sisters of the Franciscans for the Poor and hear more about their ministry and work in Cincinnati. This trip was an amazing experience that I will not soon forget; it sparked a love for this kind of work in my heart that compares to nothing else.”

For more information, contact the Clarke University Marketing and Communication Office at (563)588-6377.