TRUMBULL—St. Joseph High School recently hosted a service day for their students on July 14, 2022. During the event, 30 SJ students packed nearly 100 backpacks for the children at the Sterling House and Mercy Learning Center.
“There is nothing like a brand new backpack and school supplies to start the school year,” remarked Jessica Costa, director of marketing & enrollment management at St. Joseph High School. “Community service is an integral part of the curriculum at St. Joe’s and during this Back 2 School Supply Pack, students worked diligently alongside their peers to carefully prepare backpacks for children ages 5-14”. Participants also donated items to contribute to each backpack. Each student also included a handwritten note for the backpack’s recipient with well wishes for a great new school year.
The Mercy Learning Center, located in Bridgeport, provides basic literacy and life skills training to women with low income using a holistic approach within a compassionate, supportive environment. All women are welcome without regard for race, religion, color, creed, sexual orientation or national origin. The Sterling House is an organization that is ever-responsive to the needs of the Stratford community—when they see a need, they fill it. St. Joseph High School is proud to serve as a partner with both The Sterling House and Mercy Learning Center and to support their missions as they prepare to support clients for a successful school year ahead.
In addition, prior to the start of the backpack drive, students heard from Michael Rosati, director of youth development at Sterling House, and alumni of St. Joseph High School on the importance of community need awareness and service.
The school hopes to make this an annual event each summer.
