By Brandon Seng
ConnectMichigan Alliance

Baby Boomer is a term heard more and more around the topic of volunteerism.  Most conversation centers around the task of engaging this large group of individuals who will undoubtedly have more time on their hands as they start to reach the age of retirement.  Within the Michigan Campus Compact Network, Madonna University has found a venue which not only reaches out to this group, but gets them excited about their involvement.

Fonda Gnacke, Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA and organizer of the Madonna Alternative Spring Break program led a small group of breakers to Pass Christian Mississippi in the spring of 2007.  Here, 140 miles outside of New Orleans, they worked to rebuild homes in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.  This trip was unique among alternative breaks, as half of the participants were not traditional college students.

The group from Madonna was a mix of students, faculty, staff and skilled laborers.  Baby Boomers with construction know-how accompanied the group, and proved beneficial to the impact Madonna had in the Gulf.  “The skilled labor we brought became an integral and dynamic piece in our relief effort,” said Gnacke.  “A lot of the other groups were regulated to menial tasks, but we were able to do some great work because of the talented individuals who joined our team.”

The National Service Agency recently announced 3 large grants that will support similar efforts to increase productivity in the Gulf through the leadership of skilled laborers.   “The Skilled Service in the Gulf initiative responds to the critical need for skilled construction and medical volunteers in areas still recovering from devastation caused by the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes,” said David Eisner, the Corporation’s CEO.  “With the infusion of skilled volunteers, we can intensify the massive rebuilding effort.”

With a crew experienced in construction, it is no wonder that Madonna was a favorite among the volunteer groups working with the Diocesan Office of Long Term Recovery, an organization that manages volunteer efforts in the Gulf.  The facilitators here did anything but dote over the Madonna squad.  In fact, little help was needed outside of showing them their worksite, according to breaker and Michigan Campus Compact AmeriCorps*VISTA Stephen Rahrig.  “You could tell they were relieved to have a group with our level of talent, they were happy to just turn us loose on our projects.”

As much of the gutting and demolition of houses is being completed in the area, a greater need for skilled labor to rebuild and reconstruct these homes is becoming apparent.  A partnership with community organizations and groups will address this need, as more skilled hands are brought to the Gulf.  Generationally diverse relief efforts will not only serve those affected by the hurricanes, but everyone involved in the effort.

“I couldn’t even try to describe all of the things I learned on break,” said Rahrig.  “A wiser generation’s experience offered unique opportunities for us to learn about construction.  Anytime we had questions, someone was right there, ready to help.”

Community volunteers also learned much from the students during their time in Pass Christian.  Most were apprehensive about spending a spring break with “college kids.”  Soon these stereotypes were broken down as they saw the students in a new light, witnessing young adults working hard to serve others.

“Going in I thought all college students were a little on the rowdy side, I had some reservations,” said a boomer who accompanied the group.  “On the trip however, I realized that these students were very respectful, well behaved and hard working.  I enjoyed the conversations I had with them.”

Madonna University’s alternative spring break program has reached out from the campus and into the community, convening a group capable of making a large impact in the lives of those that they served.   Outreaching in this way has strengthened relationships between the university and community, and has inspired others to make the trip next year, where the need will surely remain desperate.