Niyah Gintz's Community Service hours

October  Service Hours:  6 hrs Cumulative Semester Hours:  10 hrs This month, I had the opportunity to engage in two meaningful volunteer experiences that strengthened my connection to the community while supporting youth education and health awareness. My first service activity was with HEROS, a nonprofit organization focused on exposing young people to diverse career pathways and essential life skills. I volunteered during one of their financial literacy sessions, where I assisted with organizing materials, guiding students through activities, and helping create a supportive learning environment. I found this experience especially impactful because financial education is such an important foundation for young people and being able to contribute to that mission felt rewarding. Later in the month, I volunteered at the American Heart Association Heart Walk at Lafreniere Park in Metairie alongside other students in the pharmacology department. We assisted at the Tulan...

October  Service Hours: 2 hrs Cumulative Semester Hours:  4 hrs This past month, I had the opportunity to volunteer at the Lower Ninth Ward Food Pantry House, where Maysen and I spent two hours unloading trucks, organizing donations, and stocking the kitchen shelves. This experience was meaningful because it allowed us to directly support families in need and contribute to food security within the New Orleans community. During the event, we worked alongside other volunteers to unload boxes of canned goods, fresh produce, and household essentials. Before arriving, I expected the work to be mostly physical, but it turned out to be deeply rewarding, especially knowing that our efforts would help feed dozens of local families. From this experience, I learned how community partnerships and volunteer work play a vital role in addressing food insecurity. If I were to volunteer again, I’d bring reusable gloves and organize the pantry by expiration date to make distribution easier...

September Service Hours: 2 hrs Cumulative Semester Hours: 2 hrs  This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the Broadmoor Improvement Association, where Maysen and I spent two hours cleaning up a community garden. I considered this activity important because it gave me the chance to contribute to the neighborhood while connecting with other Xavier students. The purpose of the activity was to help maintain and beautify a shared green space, making it more inviting for the community. During the event, I pulled weeds, cleared debris, and helped tidy up planting areas. A personal choice I made was to stay engaged with everyone around me, which helped build teamwork and made the time more enjoyable. Before arriving, I assumed the work might be repetitive, but it turned out to be more collaborative and rewarding than expected. From this experience, I learned the value of small contributions in creating visible change. If I were to do it again, I’d bring gloves or tools...