Day of Social Outreach volunteers partner with UMOM and St. Vincent de Paul

​The day at UMOM started with a tour of the facility, which gave our team an opportunity to learn about UMOM's mission and services. The team learned about UMOM's café, which is used to generate income as well as train some of UMOM's residents for future jobs. The group also learned that a special area is dedicated to military veterans and their families so they can bond as a group. 

After the tour, the group split into three teams to provide needed assistance:  the first team helped in UMOM's child development center; the 2nd team sorted hundreds of donations; and the 3rd team organized and arranged the donations at UMOM's Clothing Closet (a "residential store" consisting of gently-used clothing items) where UMOM's residents are able to exchange vouchers for goods and clothing items.

"I was able to help in their child care center and was with babies, ages 6 weeks-1 year," said Unique Haro, Development Coordinator.  "Needless to say it was awesome!!"  Haro shared that some of her teammates worked in the toddler room, while others organized the toy room--where the children can pick out a toy on their birthday or for a job well done, or even as a parting gift when they leave UMOM. 

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul—

Our team arrived at the Henry Unger Dining Room ready to set up and serve lunch for St. Vincent de Paul's guests.  The Society of St. Vincent de Paul is dedicated to feeding, clothing, housing and healing individuals and families in our community who have nowhere else to turn for help. 

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul has been serving the community throughout central and northern Arizona since 1946. Programs include services for the homeless, medical and dental care for the working poor, charity dining rooms that serve thousands each day, food boxes for hungry families, thrift stores throughout the region, a bridge housing shelter, and general assistance for individuals in need.

Peter Panaroni, Systems Support Analyst for CONHI and the team's co-captain, said that the team prepared and served 574 meals. 

"The experience was very rewarding and impactful!" said Brenda Morris, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at CONHI and the team's co-captain. "The staff were well organized and very welcoming to the volunteers. I recommend it as a site for next year."

A day of Social oUtreach is a springtime collaboration between the College of Health Solutions and the College of Nursing & Health Innovation to support nonprofit organizations and those they serve in the Phoenix metro area. A special thanks to our program champions, deans Teri Pipe and Keith Lindor, for making this program possible. Look forward to updates on our first team (Downtown Owls) as we learn the outcome of that project, as well as the efforts of our upcoming outreach team projects during the month of April!