A Mission of Service: Students Initiate Outreach to Migrant Community

Dominican University’s mission of encouraging compassionate service resonated this year with students who volunteered to help members of Chicago’s migrant community.

In November, when students Eddie Rivera Burgos and Vanessa Bello Hernandez learned about a nonprofit organization’s plans for a “Friendsgiving” meal to unhoused, newly arrived migrants, they wanted to be involved. With help from the Community Action Network, a project created by St. Catherine Medal recipient Grettel Gomez Reyes to pair students with volunteer opportunities, 15 students signed up to serve meals to 193 people outside police headquarters in North Lawndale.

The food was provided by the nonprofit organization Divinely Orchestrated.

“What Dominican has instilled in us is that when there’s a calling, be ready to go out and serve,” Rivera Burgos said.

That same month, 10 Mazzuchelli Honors Program scholars held a food drive and helped stock the pantry of New Hope Bible Church, which was helping feed newly arrived migrants, and local residents in need, in Chicago’s Hermosa neighborhood.

The effort was organized by Mazzuchelli Scholar Nelly Musajeva.

“Being in the service of others allows us to find ourselves—and find true purpose and fulfillment in our life—all while performing our moral duty,” she said.