A year of living simply, helping others
BUFFALO — Mariel Klein of Warwick is among 16 members of the Canisius College Class of 2013 who will dedicate the next year to living simply, working for social justice and serving those who live on the margins of society.
These students have committed to one year of post-graduate service work in various cities and communities across the country.
Klein graduated from Canisius College on May 18 with a degree in animal behavior, ecology and conservation with a dual minor in anthrozoology and studio art.
Jesuit Volunteer Corps
She be among eight young alumni who will serve with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), which assists in education, advocacy and direct and community service for low-wage earners, homeless, unemployed, refugees, individuals diagnosed with AIDS, elderly, street youth, former gang members, abused individuals, mentally ill, developmentally disabled and others who strive to find justice in their lives.
Three other young alumni will serve as AmeriCorps members during the next year. AmeriCorps tutors and mentors disadvantaged youth; fights illiteracy; helps build affordable housing; works to improve health services; manages or operates after-school programs; and helps communities respond to disasters.
Five additional young alumni will dedicate the next year to various other service organizations.
Klein will be placed with Joseph the Worker, Phoenix, AZ; a program that helps the homeless find jobs.
“I’m embarking on a year of service because for me.” Klein said in the college’s press release announcing her work. “It’s the ultimate completion and acknowledgment of my Jesuit education. It’s a very tangible and very fulfilling way to incorporate the lessons and values of my Jesuit education into my life and a rare opportunity to spend a year immersing myself completely into one cause.”
‘Who our students become’
Luann Firestone, interim director of campus ministry at Canisius, said that “by choosing to commit a year of their lives in the service of the marginalized, these students demonstrate that they have a clear grasp of the significance a Jesuit education - an education that not only empowers the student but enables that student to go on to empower the world.”
Canisius is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation. “Rev. Peter Hans-Kolvenbach S.J., the former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, reminded our institutions several years ago that ‘the real measure of our Jesuit universities lies in who our students become,’” Firestone added.