My faith is so much stronger, as is my love and understanding of others. I've learned so much about people as I've worked with them, and so much human beauty and strength  has been revealed in their actions, that it has served as a lesson to me. Thank you all so much for your efforts in bringing me here--I promise that none of it was lost on me, and I am forever grateful.

 Anna Petersen
LSAV, East Harlem

 
 
"It was great to be surrounded by people of great faith and who are so caring and giving. Our faith has grown and our prayer life has deepened."

Will and Franzi Koenig
LSAV, Project Hope
1-2000 through 4-2000

"My stay in East Harlem was the single most important experience of my life up to this point. It has prepared me to live without judgment, to seek hope, and to enjoy the rewards of kindness. I learned more about the subtleties of life and the importance of healthy sustainable relationships. I matured emotionally and spiritually through the guidance of several people who touched my life in different ways through their strength and faith.

"I believe when you are surrounded by positive energy you are better equipped to handle each new day. I certainly felt the positive energy that surrounded my work life and home life in East Harlem. The overall sense of purpose and dedication to serve the people of East Harlem is deep-rooted and is indeed the backbone on which the Agency and the LSA community as a whole stands. You are a part of a larger network of hope for our inner-cities. Now my heart and mind are ready if I am called to return to community service in the years to come.

"I can only say that feelings transcend words, and there are no words to express how I felt when a child ran to hug me, when a student's eyes brightened when they grasped a concept, when kind words of encouragement caressed my soul.

"I want to validate how successful a program I found the LSAV to be. The program gives individuals who may be searching for fulfillment true satisfaction."

Margie Joyce
LSAV 1-96 through 6-96
 
  

"From the moment we arrived, we felt a part of the LSAV community. It was wonderful reaching out to people who needed a helping hand and feeling that we were making a difference.

"But truth be told, the clients have given us more than we could ever give them. It was a growing and enriching experience that we wouldn't trade for anything.

"We treasure our time and experiences with the LSAV and will always count it as one of the outstanding events of our lives."

Fred and Marge de Frain
LSAV 10-92 through 10-93
 
 

"In gratitude for the graced God has bestowed on me and the strength to get through difficult times in my life, I decided to give part of my life as an LSA volunteer. In some ways, it was my small way of trying to repay God and the many people who helped me in my life.

"Working at the Pernet Family Health Service has shown me other people's commitment and dedication in working with underprivileged people. It has helped me to see the world in a broader sense."

Michael Finnegan
LSAV 7-94 through 7-95
 
   

"When I first began to consider the LSAV program, I was very attracted to the mission statement of the Little Sisters of the Assumption : to transform the family in the spirit of Christ by living out the Gospel message, and working with the poorest to bring about healing in our society, thereby affecting this big, broken world. From that moment on, I knew that I had something to learn from this community. I wasn't sure what I had to offer them, except a willingness to work in whatever capacity they needed.

"What happened during my volunteer experience continues to amaze me. I was first placed in the nursery for what everyone was hoping was a temporary shortage of workers: two of the grandmothers were on leave indefinitely. I was very unsure of any skill or particular gifts I had for working with and teaching children. Had anyone asked me if I'd enjoy spending my full-time work primarily with children, I would have categorically replied, "No, thank you." I could not yet imagine loving it.

"Within about two weeks, I was hooked. During my brief orientation to working in the nursery, Lorraine Tierney explained her philosophy behind the nursery's mission statement, which eventually gave my work meaning: Establishing relationship and attachment with the child and his or her parent will most likely lead to positive development of the child. Furthermore, the examples they see, the love they experience, the lessons they are taught during these early years, 0 to 3, are particularly formative for later learning and life skills. With this said, I never took my presence and work lightly with the kids.

"Who would have thought that God's love, which became incarnate to me as I was loved by significant persons in my life, could and would become embodied in my work and actions with the children of East Harlem ? This was grace. This was my call to come and follow Jesus into a poor neighborhood to love and to be loved, to see Christ in the eyes of a child."

Lourdes R. Paredes
LSAV 1-96 through 6-96