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v o l u n t e e r m i n i s t r y n e w s

Brion hArris
Connecting a kEy ComPoNENt oF Brion Harris was accustomed to in-person He says, “They understand and are aware of

service, such as helping to build a house or
a BoN SECoUrS volUNtEEr
current events much more than I was at their
working in a soup kitchen. He says, “When
age.” He is happy to be a part of providing
Remotely miNiStry’S FormatioN iS COVID-19 happened, I realized we would students with a forum for discussing these issues.
traNSFormatioN tHroUGH
have to make connections virtually. That
SErviCE WitH otHErS. tHE
Brion has accompanied the fifth grade
mindset shift was difficult.” Brion will never
Through NEEd For SoCial diStaNCiNG take in-person connections for granted again, students, who were all new to Sisters Academy
of Baltimore, as they created a virtual family
and through his year of service, he has learned
BroUGHt oN By tHE Covid-19
community. He is impressed by how much care
to be more open and has stopped taking
PaNdEmiC HaS SiGNiFiCaNtly
imPaCtEd HoW oUr miNiStry himself or his mistakes too seriously. and concern they show one another, even though, prior to
February, they had never met in person.
Service volUNtEErS SErvE aNd Brion volunteers with Sisters Academy of Baltimore, ‘‘ i wOUld liKe tO thinK that the
a middle school for girls in Baltimore, Maryland. He leads
HoW tHEy CoNNECt WitH
tHoSE tHEy SErvE. the school’s Community Action Club, a role he especially relatiOnShipS we haVe deVelOped
enjoys because the relaxed setting has allowed him to VirtUally will tranSlate tO
Since September, they have served virtually, socially distanced or in outdoor settings. get to know the students on a more personal level. an in-perSOn Setting.”
during these unprecedented times, they have found new ways to build relationships with — BriOn harriS
those they serve and have learned how to walk with others even when they could not be
physically present. here we share some of our ministry volunteers’ experiences:
Kelly Flynn

Kelly Flynn felt hopeful but nervous at the connect. “I would come early to class and stay
beginning of her year of service when she late, so I could talk with the teachers,” she says.
contemplated creating new relationships “I advocated my ability to use breakout rooms
miKAylA hAeFele remotely. She volunteers in Baltimore, and then really began making connections.”

“I first experienced the challenges of In addition to seeing students in class, Mikayla with Sisters Academy of Baltimore and
remote learning while in college,” says holds virtual office hours and meets and works also with Bon Secours Community Works, It took creativity to engage with students
Mikayla Haefele, who volunteers with with students one-on-one. She also offers help where she attends virtual Crime and Grime online. She learned that participating in the
classroom chats helped her build relationships.
Community meetings. Initially, Kelly
education and her online service with Cristo Rey High ‘‘ BeCaUSe i See theM in diFFerent noticed that the lack of opportunity for responded and reached out to her, and it quickly became
during off hours.
Cristo Rey High School in Richmond,
When she took the initiative, students
Virginia. She relates to the students’
natural conversation in these virtual settings made it difficult
struggles with virtual learning through
normal to work with students virtually. She says, “The
VirtUal SettingS, i aM aBle tO
to develop relationships.
her recent experience of college
fun we have online. They have taught me that being playful
and Be a Better MentOr.”
School. The highlight of her service has been building deVelOp relatiOnShipS with theM As she grew more comfortable with virtual service, Kelly became students make me laugh, and I am surprised by how much
more open to being creative and discovered there were ways to
relationships with the teachers and finding ways to support — MiKayla haeFele in a virtual world is not only possible but very much needed.”
them by monitoring classroom chats, acting as a sounding Mikayla is pleasantly surprised by their ability to build ....................................................................
board and providing feedback. Upon the teachers’ request, trust virtually and by how many connections she has made Since the Ministry Volunteers shared their experiences, they have been able to serve in person at both
she and other Ministry Volunteers created a Zoom etiquette with students in the classroom chats. She has discovered: Sisters Academy of Baltimore and Cristo Rey High School. They were blessed to be able to continue
video to help facilitate a smoother distance-learning “Students who do not speak up in class suddenly come to build relationships with both staff and students and to live more fully into Bon Secours Volunteer
experience for students. alive in the chat; they are more comfortable there.” Ministry’s mission to live compassionately, receive and offer healing and share in liberation.

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