Stevenson High students honor MLK through public service
Instead of spending her day off from school watching movies or TV shows on Netflix, Stevenson High School junior Gillian Grant spent a few hours Monday helping to clean the Lake County Haven transitional shelter for homeless women and their children.
As she assembled a glass-cleaning tool, Grant thought about how she hates sharing a bedroom when she's on vacation, and about the women who've spent time at the Libertyville shelter.
It put her complaint into perspective.
"These people are so happy to have this space available to them," Grant said. "It makes you think that we're a lot more fortunate than we think we are."
Grant and about a dozen other teens helped out at Lake County Haven on Monday as part of the Lincolnshire school's second annual Day of Service, which once again was scheduled to coincide with Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
About 200 Stevenson students traveled to eight sites across Lake County to participate in volunteer projects.
Some, for example, removed invasive plant species at a forest preserve near Lake Zurich. Others helped out at the Vernon Township food pantry.
All the participating students returned to Stevenson for lunch and reflection on their activities. Afterward, they teamed up again to pack food for the Vernon Township pantry.
At the Lake County Haven facility in Libertyville, the kids dusted, cleaned windows, vacuumed and handled other chores.
Stevenson junior Juliana Goldberg had never heard of the Haven before receiving her assignment to volunteer there.
Like Grant, she found the experience an opportunity for contemplation.
"It's nice to be making a difference in people's lives," she said. "You don't know the people in these rooms, but you can help them."
Brett Erdmann, Stevenson High's community service coordinator, brought his three daughters to the Haven for the activity. All three girls enthusiastically helped out.
"They enjoy doing community service, and maybe even hanging out with their dad," Erdmann said.
Maria Sievert, the center's volunteer coordinator, said she and her co-workers were very proud of the students.
"It's inspiring for us to see kids come in on their day off to help the Haven," Sievert said.