University of Detroit Jesuit offers hundreds of opportunities for students, but the most unique of which may cause the greatest impact. Senior Service is known around The High as the biggest service project students undergo. The project sees the seniors travel to sites all over metro Detroit as they help soup kitchens, schools, hospitals, senior living, and so much more. Not only do the seniors at The High impact the groups and communities they serve, but they are also impacted by the sites that they visit every other Wednesday. One of these sites, Focus Hope: Center for Children has a particular impact on me, and the other guys who work there, and I would like to highlight our experiences. Although U of D Seniors have been going to their sites since September, I wanted to take a deeper dive at the site I visit- Focus Hope: Center for Children.
Focus Hope: Center for Children is a daycare on Oakman Boulevard on the west side of Detroit. The center helps families in need by offering free enrollment to infants up to children aged five. It also helps parents with financial needs and helps them set goals for themselves, such as finding a job, or buying a house or car. The center also has a full kitchen which provides breakfast, and lunch in the afternoon. There is also a clinic inside the building that offers checkups for the children if parents cannot find the time for doctors visits. I work in a classroom called the orange room that has a group of eight children all around the age of two years old. Two teachers, Ms. Marcella and Ms. King, both of whom each care for and love the children that they teach. At first, I was nervous going into this environment as I had never helped at a daycare. I quickly realized however that the children were great, and I feel blessed to serve them. I feel myself being a positive role model to the kids even at such a young age. I also feel very rewarded by helping the teachers because they are always so grateful for my assistance.
I caught up with Lochlain McGrail ‘24 who also works at the Focus Hope Center with me. Lochlain works in a different classroom but does similar work to me. McGrail has been presented with challenges at the daycare saying; “My experience at senior service has caused me to work on my patience. I’m often put in situations where I have to spend long periods of time helping and teaching kids how to do routine tasks.” Lochlain also said; “This not only provides the kids with a positive male figure but allows me to push myself to be better.” Lochlain has not only helped the kids at Focus Hope but has also grown as a person. That is what is most special about Senior Service. The people we all help shape us into the young men U of D promises to make us. Senior Service is a true blessing and I want to remind the seniors of next year and years to come, not to take it for granted.
