Roman stocking the shelves at the food pantry.
Upon learning about our parish’s partnership with the SSJ Neighborhood Center, 14-year-old Roman Krivda knew it was the right mission for him to give his time and energy.
After checking his schedule and learning more about what the Center needed, Roman started spending his Wednesday afternoons with the Neighbors. He’s helped sort food and clothing donations, handed out meals, and spent time getting to know the community and the Center’s mission.
A regular at our monthly Project Serve sessions, Roman accepted the invite to speak at our final session of the season. This year, we added a guest speaker to each gathering, providing students with the opportunity to hear personal stories from our good stewards. Roman shared a clear and colorful description of the space he’s come to know so well. Mentioning the flags hanging that represent each country served, icons of immigrant saints, and a beautiful image of the Holy Family. He told his peers, “Serving at the Center has made me feel a greater connection because I get to see the people I’m helping and be in their community. I also feel a sense of fulfillment when I help people who aren’t as fortunate as me.”
Roman is grateful to his parents for supporting his service, taking the time to learn about the Center, and adjusting their schedules accordingly. His dad shared, “Roman’s commitment is inspirational. He’s busy with school, sports, and activities, but he’s prioritized service. He plans to continue over the summer and next school year. We love hearing about all the different ways he helps out and how proud he is to be involved. I appreciate that he’s gaining a new perspective on how others live.”
As our first year partnering with the Center wraps up, consider following Roman’s lead—schedule a tour, volunteer your time, and offer your gifts to the community.
Looking for service in Haddonfield? We encourage you to support Roman’s T-shirt drive this summer; we’ll turn L and XL-size t-shirts into sustainable food pantry bags. Look out for more information in an upcoming issue of the bulletin. For more information on the SSJNC, contact Cheryl Judge.
Veronica Spilker is the Coordinator of Evangelization, contact Veronica for youth and young adult ministry.