3 minute read
Helping Hands
Next Article
“Culture Through Connection: The Redeemer Community”
This year I have taken on the coordination of the Helping Hands ministry for the College.
A broad range of Year 10, 11 and 12 students have volunteered their Friday evenings to travel out with the little yellow van, bringing groceries, snacks, hot and cold drinks, conversation and fun to people in our community. They have done this without judgement, with a listening ear, and with warm smiles. They show such courage and community spirit in these interactions. This is the heart of our program.
I am immensely grateful to the staff who also volunteer their time to care and share with the students, and who live out their principles and their faith. The example they set and the discussions that come out of the experience are so valued. A big shout out to the staff of OSHC, who not only bake for the van with their students, but have also taken turns to join us on Friday nights, and bring their own sense of fun and generosity.
Students who have participated have discussed with us afterwards issues like affordable housing, domestic and family violence, and indigenous health. They meet people who are dealing with these issues every day, and they are learning about their human impacts. This is the “head” element of their experience, where the rubber quite literally hits the road. The young people who attend hand out drinks, sandwiches and homemade baked goods to the people we visit. They come as guest, chatting with people about the topics that interest them, playing with children and being the hands and feet of Jesus in our local area.
A number of younger students also serve the Helping Hands ministry by making sandwiches for Friday nights during break time at school. These students serve for no other reason than they want to.
The students teach me far more than I impart to them. I admire them tremendously, and I am grateful to be a part of this ministry.
MRS RACHAEL STELZER JUNIOR SCHOOL CHAPLAIN
“Helping hands for me is a place to learn about the experiences other people have had and learn from them. It is also a place that I know I can just make a person’s day by talking to them or just laughing at their jokes.” – Student volunteer
“Seeing how each community works together and knows each other, and being able to give back to them is an inspiring and rewarding part of Helping Hands.” – Student volunteer
Helping Hands
“Although I have only attended twice, I have been absolutely inspired by how amazing a totally different but close side of our community is. Seeing others that are less fortunate than me has been lifechanging. Even if it’s just making them a coffee and having a chat, they are so full of life and emotion. I think I will always remember the community and friends that I have made and am making. Helping Hands should be something that everyone should experience at least once. It’s really something special.” – Student volunteer
“It is an honour and privilege to engage weekly with and serve members of our local community. Over the last 7 years of the Helping Hands van operation, we have built wonderful relationships between Redeemer Lutheran College staff and students and our Helping Hands friends whom we visit.” – Staff volunteer
Helping Hands Volunteers
Namreetha Arul Prakash Claudia Birrer Alex Black Charmaine Chan Sonal Chand Emma Chow Mackenzie Cuthbert Elizabeth Ducke Bridget Farmer Grace Farmer Shae Godfrey Annabelle Henderson Emily Henderson Timothy Hughes Calum Jones Lillian Karppinen Brandon Kiehle Ava Killian Ellie Koppens Abbey Korner Mitchell Laurens Cindy Lee Cade Linde Mykaelah Ludcke Emelie Ly Ashley Meakins Lili Olson Lilly Parkes Claire Perriman Rebecca Reid Hannah Rowland Christian Saunders Zander Shepherd Anastasia Spyropoulos Rhys Thurstun Shanice Timotius Maddy Vela Billy Wearne Lilly Wu Mrs Rachael Stelzer
