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Freshmen at Micah House are Putting Their Faith into Action
Katie Burke is ready to get into the neighborhood to do what's right. Her heart-felt comments reflect those of other students in Micah House.
"This is a chance to get involved in the community and to do something really exciting with a committed group of people," said Burke, a 1997 graduate of Cor Jesu Academy in St. Louis.
Burke is one of 22 SLU freshmen participating in Micah House, a first-year program that combines academics, community service and shared living experiences in a newly renovated area of Clemens Hall. Students spend three hours a week assisting children and low-income residents in the Shaw neighborhood, a historic section of south St. Louis famous for its big trees and large homes.
Some Micah House freshmen are tutoring grade-school students, others are helping immigrants adjust to life in the United States, while some are working with the disabled and assisting residents with neighborhood problems.
Students are committed to the project for at least one year. The hope is that they will stay committed for life.
"This program is a chance for students to grow and to deepen their sense of commitment to people in need," said Dr. Donald Stump, associate professor of English and director of Micah House.
Neighborhood schools and agencies participating in the program include Cornerstone Center for Early Learning and the New Horizon Center, Sherman Community Center and School, Mason Elementary School, St. Margaret of Scotland School, St. Margaret's Housing Corporation, and the Neighborhood Stabilization Team's office at McKinley Classical Junior Academy.
"We selected Shaw over other neighborhoods because it is close to SLU, has many needs and boasts a large number of active service organizations that students can plug into right away," Stump said. "We also wanted to choose an area where students would be relatively safe and where the problems weren't so great that the students just couldn't make an impact."
Besides helping in the neighborhood, students in Micah House must enroll in a series of integrated classes Ñ philosophy and theological studies in the fall semester and English and psychology in the spring.
These courses offer an academic reflection on peace, justice and social action.
"The writing assignments for my students will combine traditional academic research on social problems with the students' own experiences doing community service," Stump said.
Movies, field trips and presentations from guest speakers also are part of the Micah House experience. As students proceed through the program, their responsibilities increase. So does their understanding of urban problems.
Stump said that last spring the University mailed brochures on Micah House to all incoming freshmen. He and other faculty in the program also recruited at several area Catholic high schools that usually send large numbers of students to SLU.
Bob Purcell heard about the program during Stump's speech at DeSmet Jesuit High School in St. Louis. "It's a chance to make a change," Purcell said. "If you see a kid moping around, it would be great to help him and get him really excited or interested in something."
On a recent Saturday afternoon, students listened to officials from the participating schools and agencies discuss their goals and the various opportunities for students.
Kathryn Zellich of the Cornerstone Early Learning Center said Micah House will be a major asset both to her organization and to the entire neighborhood. Students are assisting children who are most in need of care and attention. "Research indicates that the first three years of a child's life are the most important," Zellich said. "We have a unique opportunity to help.
"The larger the group of teachers and helpers, the greater the impact. This program means our program also will be stronger."
Zellich added, "You can't be around a 3-year-old and not be excited."
At St. Margaret of Scotland and Sherman schools, students are assisting with the All-Shaw Community Choir, but also helping to educate a diverse group of youngsters about cooperation and the value of teamwork. "Our program is not so much about music as it is about helping children learn to work together," St. Margaret music teacher Terri Merideth said.
"Music is one of the best ways to get people together. It's non-threatening, it's non-competitive and it's fun."
Eddie Roth, president of the Shaw Neighborhood Improvement Association, said he's getting good reports from neighborhood residents on the Micah House program.
"Just the fact that SLU has this commitment to the neighborhood and is willing to give us this energy is great," said Roth, who helped put together the Shaw proposal for Micah House and helped select the service projects.
"Through the energy of these students, the neighborhood should be helped immensely."