By Zachary W.,
Sixth Grade, Krieger Schechter Day School of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
In November, each middle school student at Krieger Schechter Day School spent the day volunteering for a charity.
At Paul’s Place in South Baltimore, students guided homeless people through a miniature store consisting of shoes, shirts, pants, dresses, books, toys and infant attire. Some students also washed dishes in the kitchen, prepared emergency food packages and first aid kits and refilled the guests’ cups with water.
“Paul’s Place not only provides necessities for survival, like food, clothing and job support, they also provide their clients with a sense of dignity and worth. They make a point of showing respect to the people they serve,” said Kelly Platzke, a KSDS middle school English teacher. “The facilities were so clean. I could sense that everyone felt respected.”
Volunteers also performed different job tasks, since there are so many parts to Paul’s Place. “I filled up water glasses, which was great. I got to talk to the people who were eating there. I had some really interesting conversations with the guests. I felt blessed by the people that were there, and I hope I was a blessing to them,” said Platzke.
Sarai S., a sixth grade KSDS student who went on this trip, had a very different job. “I was a personal shopper, so I shopped with the people who were there. In this case, it was the ladies’ day, so I walked around with them holding their bags. I felt like I was one of their friends.”
Sarai was very impressed with how kind and open the people were.
Odelia E., another sixth grade KSDS student, went to Paul’s Place for the first time this year. She was impressed by the wide range of resources provided by this organization.
“What struck me about Paul’s Place is that everyone is treated equally,” she said. “In most soup kitchens, the people who live in poverty come and get food. But in Paul’s Place, they can get clothes and food and everything they need. They even help kids go to school and eventually college. They make everyone feel respected.”
It is not just the guests who benefit from this experience; the volunteers also gain from it.
“Paul’s Place was very eye opening. I learned a lot. I learned about the needs of the city that I live next to, which is so easy not to be aware of,” says Platzke, who was really moved by this experience.
Paul’s Place is always in need of donations of food, toys, clothes and money. The center also needs volunteers, including social workers, people to help with resumes, and professionals who can teach clients how to use computers. Paul’s Place benefits many people.
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