Chicago

Loyola University Students and LIFT-ChicagoA Transformative Experience

A Transformative Experience | 3

This collecon of leers was presented to theadministraon of Loyola University Chicago onbehalf of Loyola students who have parcipatedas LIFT-Chicago volunteers.The leers explain how their experiences asLIFT volunteers have changed their personaloutlooks on life, not only as students, but asindividuals.

4 | Loyola University Students and LIFT-Chicago

To Father Garanzini and the Loyola Administraon,I would like to share with you a very well-kept secret. For quite some me there has beenthis organizaon that has changed the lives of many for the beer. This organizaon works tocombat poverty and expand opportunity for all by having college students work one-on-onewith members of the community. It was through my volunteer work at this organizaon that Iwas able to discover who I truly am.I grew up in a very dierent background than most people at this university. I did have theeconomic privilege to aend this university, but growing up, my family life was far fromstable. I came to Loyola completely confused, and just thankful to be able to move away fromthose issues. I became a new person once I aended college, but I sll felt like I was missingsomething. So I began looking for ways that I could nd myself and help those who also comefrom dicult backgrounds.I was encouraged to get involved in the community as part of the rst Living-LearningCommunity, and while I was at an organizaon fair, I found LIFT. I can honestly say that myenre student experience and view of life has changed since I joined this organizaon. It wasthrough my volunteer experiences at LIFT that I have grown to be the person I am today.I started as a volunteer to help people nd aordable housing, nd employment, apply forpublic benets, and more, but then I realized how amazing this organizaon was at changingthe lives of so many. It changed my life, the lives of members of the community, and thelives of many students. Now I am working as the Student Director of Outreach, CommunityPartnerships, and Advocacy.(Connued next page)