City Stories

Dear Staff Members at the Romero Center,

First off, I would like to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for the group of 31 students from La Salle College High School this past week. Leaving the center, I wasn't really sure if the message of poverty and service would continue in our lives as High School students. I really can't put this feeling into words...but I can display it through an example. This past weekend, on Friday night, our school hosted a mixer, or school dance. I remember standing with a group of my friends, all of whom were on the Junior Urban Challenge. One kid happened to notice the cross another kid was wearing...and one by one, each of us, the 5 kids in the circle, pulled out our wooden crosses.

Speaking for the majority of the group, our stay at the Romero Center has impacted our lives and our views of the world around us. For me, it has given me a goal...to change the lives of others. The staff remarked that seeing us at the center, willing to help those less fortunate than we was truly inspirational. However, it is amazing to see people like you, the staff of the Romero Center, dedicating your entire lives to serving others and providing the experience for schools like La Salle.

Personally, the Junior Urban Challenge experience solidified my goals in life and allowed me to discover, in my mind, the true meaning of life. Last Christmas, I traveled to Bolivia, South America, with a group of students from La Salle. I saw poverty in its most severe forms and still see the images and feel the beggers pulling on my clothing. However, immediately being immersed back into the American culture, I had lost sight of the purpose of life and my role in touching the hearts of other individuals. But as I said in the first night's reflection, I am so glad I went to the Romero Center. I heard things said by the staff that sent chills running up and down my spine and renewed my love for service.

More than anything, I saw the happiness and content lives led by the social workers and volunteers that I came across. I was intrigued by the stories and daily lives led by the individuals who I met. I absolutely saw life in its simplest, yet most genuine and pure form while at the Romero Center and Project Rainbow. Moreover, I saw that money does NOT make people happy. All of you members of the Romero Center are millionares of the heart...which is something so special and so rare to see. I want you to know that I am constantly praying for you all and the continued service provided by the Center to the people of Camden and beyond.

If you ever need any help of any kind...you know that I'm here as a friend and supporter of the Center. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for what you do and what you have done for the La Salle community. You have given me that push I need to go out into the world and share my gifts and talents to the poorest of the poor. Because of your Romero Center, coupled with the spirituality of the La Salle community, I am now looking to enter a helping profession (such as medicine), paired with a role as a social worker. I look forward to visiting the Romero Center again if at all possible...maybe by volunteering in the summer for a few days. Stay in touch!

Thanks Again and God Bless You All,

(Urban Challenge Participant: LaSalle College High School)

WE'RE ALL THE SAME Up until my Christian service experiences at my high school, I had no idea what poverty in America really looked like. {"Never-Ending War," Cover Story, October 2006} I just figured that poverty was something for dirty and stingy people who are unmotivated and lazy. After spending time with the poor and sick, I realized they're normal, just like you and me. They didn't choose for misfortunes to happen to them; those were dealt. Once I was able to get past all my pre-judgments and actually sit down and get to know the people affected by poverty, I truly realized that we're all the same people.

Everyone has their own ideas and ways they think they can change the world, but what I experienced through service was that nothing matters more than personal interaction. Show an interest and act like you want to help, don't just write a check for $4 billion to gain the publicity. Go down there and help your brothers and sisters, or go to Camden to try and help the homeless. Go to the local soup kitchen and volunteer for an hour. If you see a man on the street, give him your sweatshirt. The sweatshirt you may give up might be an inconvenience for you, but it just might save that person's life. All our actions have reactions, so don't let people go unnoticed.

If anyone could experience anything in this world, let it be the feeling you receive from helping someone out in need.

----Tom McCarthy

(This letter is an edited copy of a letter Tom McCarthy, Class of 2007 wrote and submitted to the letter editor of the Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition on October 12, 2006 as an economics class assignment.)

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