Growing through service in Benton Harbor

Kylie Modjeski, staff writer|September 28, 2017

Cotter students relaxing on the shore of Lake Michigan during Benton Harbor CCMP trip

Students involved in the Cotter Campus Ministry Program (CCMP) hit the road this last summer, and headed to Benton Harbor, Mich., to do volunteer work.

Benton Harbor is a small city in Berrien County with a population of 9,919. It sits on the southeastern side of Lake Michigan. Benton Harbor is known to be a poorer community; their estimated median household income is 18,751, whereas Michigan’s is 51,084. In this, it has become a popular place for volunteer groups to help out.

Cotter Students and the Carpenters prepare to leave for their mission trip to Benton Harbor, Mich.

Students who attended the trip included Savannah Scharmach, Ellie McRaith, Ella Reilly, Allie Picha, Mary Morgan, Maddie Mohan, Jack Gardner, Abbey Allen, Jaylen Vaughn, Grace Flanagan, Natalie Marg, Kate Nascak, Claire Nichols, Hunter Ramsden, Tyler Nachtigal, Mark Rivers, Sam Wantock and Ceili DeMarais. Walt and Heather Carpenter were the chaperones.

Most of the volunteer work done by students involved working with young kids at the Boys and Girls club, painting and restoring the River of Life school, and working in the community garden. The CCMP program tries to go to Benton Harbor every year, or every other year because it is a close-knit community, and the people are accepting of help.

Abbey Allen was one student who worked on painting, priming, and fixing up the school.

“After volunteering in Benton Harbor, I was very thankful for everything I have in my own life.” Allen said.

CCMP coordinator, Marisa Corcoran, says that this is a common reaction for students after volunteering.

Abbey Allen and Jaylen Vaughn move material while helping to restore a school on the CCMP trip

“My favorite part of doing volunteer work with students is watching how much they grow in just a short amount of time, through service.” Corcoran said.

Claire Nichols was another student who attended the trip. She worked in the community garden where everything that is grown is free for anyone in the community to take. Nichols also worked at the Boys and Girls club.

“It was amazing to see that the kids, although they don’t live in the best conditions, were always happy and full of energy.” said Nichols.

Volunteer work, especially in a new area, can be very beneficial to the growth of a person. “If there’s one thing that I would want to say,” said Corcoran, “It is that if you are considering volunteering, do it.”