Freshmen enjoy day of community service

More than 1,000 bleary-eyed freshmen rolled out of bed and into West Philadelphia on Saturday to volunteer at local sites and programs as part of the University's "Into the Streets" program. Freshman participants, their resident advisors and other upperclass volunteers worked at 43 sites throughout Philadelphia. "This is like something you see on TV," said College freshman Sarah Molinari as a little girl sat quietly on her lap, drawing on a piece of paper with a crayon. Molinari and her hall mates from Hill House visited Caton Village, a residential drug treatment program that houses single mothers and their children. Caton Village was one of nine sites where volunteers worked with local residents. At the program, University students interacted with the children -- most of whom were less than 10 years old -- in a brightly colored playroom. "I think it's good for the kids," said Laurel Hart, a single mother who lives at Caton Village. "I've never seen them this quiet. "They're usually ripping and tearing and crying ," she added as her 2-year-old Kapri sat at a table across the room and worked on an arts and crafts project with a student volunteer. "I think it's great to do things in the community," said Bioengineering graduate T.K. Narayan, a Hill House graduate fellow who went to Caton Village with his hall. "It shouldn't be just a one-time event, though." Caton Village resident Madelynn Rohn -- also a single mother -- said she would like to see the students visit more often. "Whatever the students are interested in, [they should] come and talk to the parents and kids about it -- whether it's psychology or journalism," Rohn said. At the Greater Philadelphia Food Bank, freshmen helped prepare food shipments for local homeless shelters and put labels on cans of nutritional supplements. "Before coming here, I didn't want to come," said French instructor Marie Descas, a graduate fellow at Modern College Language House. "But since we're here, it's nice to know who we're doing this for." Another group of students visited the Salvation Army Red Shield Residence, where the volunteers worked with teenagers and pre-teens. Outside the center, children played with University students. "That's it. That's it. I'm too tired," groaned Engineering freshman Seth Cooper, throwing his hands upward in defeat as three kids attacked him after chasing him around the playground. Inside the facility, several students helped children design their own T-shirts using special paint and Cheerios and Fruit Loops cereal. Nursing senior Amy Kelly said she prefers the sort of interactive community service her hall performed at the Salvation Army site. "I think it's more fun for the residents to come and play with the kids rather than pick up trash or something," Kelly said. Other students agreed, and some who did spend their day doing janitorial service complained. But David Grossman, who directs the Program for Student–Community Involvement, explained that the timing of the event -- on the weekend -- limited the opportunities for volunteering with community groups. After returning from their volunteer sites, freshmen gathered in the Quadrangle for hoagies and soft drinks and a chance to unwind after a hard day of work. Carol Scheman, vice president for government, community and public affairs, addressed the freshmen as they ate. "You have joined a community that has lived here for generations," Scheman said. "What you have done today is gone out and joined that community." City Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, whose district includes the University, also appeared at the picnic in the Quad. "This kind of partnership is the kind that really makes the community stronger," Blackwell said. Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, who was expected to make an appearance at the picnic, cancelled at the last minute.