YNIA working in partnership with Habitat for Humanity

St. Bernard - Maddie

This week has been nothing short of powerful, but in a way of subtle indications. In recent years, there were much more obvious events of which exemplified the impact we were making on our communities, but Buffalo has seemed to be more discrete. The charity my group and I are working for is called The Foundry due to their goal of providing jobs for those with creative abilities that are lacking the spaces necessary to execute creating the product. Because of the environment in which my group is serving, the people we have met have been very driven and motivated in their abilities. Additionally, they have an attitude that never fails to bring a smile to my face.  In many other groups, it seems as if those being served are trying to re-enter society - contrasting our group where we seem to be the inferior members of the community. As much as this may seem to directly contradict what a service trip is supposed to be - serving those in need - more than anything, the people there have provided a service to me. Each and every person at the Foundry is passionate and kind in everything they do and besides, isn't that what all of us are called to do?

St. Bernard's- Lauren

I've been to Buffalo on numerous occasions, mostly because both of my parents were born and grew up there. Our visits consist mainly of seeing family and going their favorite parts of the city, which is always fun to do. However, I was excited to come on this mission trip specifically because it would give me an opportunity to explore the areas in the city my family had always warned me to avoid. I hoped to make a difference in the city that means so much to me, and I have not been disappointed so far. On the trip, I have had the opportunity to renovate a building with my group where people returning to society from prison will stay and get the help they need to get back on their feet. Today, I  even met some of the returning citizens while making cookies. Both have been eye opening experiences for many different reasons, including but not limited to how small things like painting a wall can change something from a simple building to a home, how kind and passionate people who committed crimes can be, and how a small group of people who truly believe in justice and a successful life for all can make a huge difference, even if it is in just one area of New York. I am so lucky that I have been able to meet the people working and living in the buildings my group and I are working in and experience the another side of the city most of my family calls home. Everything I've seen and done makes me want to try to do the same in my own community back home, even if it is small and simply brings hope to people who need it.

St. Peters- Nate

 The Buffalo site for YNIA has been great so far. It has been very interactive and fun. I've been working with Tracey our music/prayer leader on music, playing my drum. I'm kinda glad I don't have to sing. Lord knows I can't. The last few days have been incredible working at our sites. Preparing dignity bags for the Catholic Charities Site. In the end of the day we completed 610 dignity bags. Took us a full work day to complete. I am personally very proud of myself and my group for completing such a huge task with such limited time. Not to mention we also got pizza today..
 In the end we still have a few more days to come and what I'm looking at right now, is a very emotional ending. So many great people here, and its going to be sad to depart. This mission has been inspiring, that when I return home, I will run to my writing station, and begin writing a book about Buffalo NY YNIA 2019. That's how inspired I am. I am ready for the rest of the week, I hope we can go out with a bang. Thanks for all your support!!!
 P.s. im not leaving....

Work Sites- 7/10

St. Noel- Joe

This is Joe (Sly Joe) coming in from Buffalo, New York to talk about my group bonding. I go by Sly Joe because then people can get my name memorized easier, and to differentiate me from other Joes, and because I'm sly. The group bonding and recreation time at YNIA was spent with many of the groups generally staying with other people from their parish. However, I decided to try and generally stay away from my parish to mingle with other parishes. This helped other people break the barriers put up by the youth in each parish. Another plus is I meet way more people and learn way more from teens in other states and parishes than just St. Noel. All in all, the people on this mission trip make the service more cheerful and the religion more meaningful. Signing off with Sly Joe.

Work Sites Today- 7/9