The summer cohort of Study USA Charlotte had a blast volunteering at a men's homeless shelter, Roof Above.
At the end of June, students participating in the Study USA Charlotte summer program had two opportunities to volunteer at Roof Above, a men’s homeless shelter in the heart of Charlotte.
The location not only provides a safe place to live, but also meals, access to personal care items, mental health guidance and assistance in finding employment opportunities and permanent housing.
Roof Above was born from the merger of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte; now one comprehensive homeless services provider. The services and programs provided by Roof Above reach over 1,200 individuals every day across multiple campuses throughout Charlotte. They are supported by the help of over 10,000 volunteers per year.
The first group of student volunteers were led by Professor Ryan Kirk and program assistant Kaitlyn Hannan. They were met with enthusiasm from fellow volunteers as they suited up in hairnets and aprons for their shift.
The students were all smiles as they served dinner at the men’s homeless shelter. In fact, one of the residents remarked that sometimes the servers don’t smile at them, and that he appreciated the Elon students for bringing positive attitudes to the shelter.
“Volunteering at Roof Above was an amazing experience,” said Katie Strohl ‘26. “It was so great to work together with my friends to make a difference within our community. We would all love to go back!”
To start, the students prepped dessert plates. The options included cookies, cupcakes, muffins and cakes. They worked as a team to unpackage and display the treats before the dinner rush began. They then lined up to begin service, scooping up hot dogs, fried chicken, rice, salad and beans. Some students were assigned to serve drinks, some handed out dessert, and others ensured everything was replenished promptly in the kitchen.
“Helping the team at Roof Above emphasized how being involved and working with others can really make a positive difference,” said student Kaelyn Elien. “Doing service resonates with two different organizations I am a part of, my sorority and my internship, and I am so happy I am able to live out those missions in real time.”
The students from the first group raved about the experience to the second, so everyone was excited to take the light rail to the shelter. Led by Hannan, the students were once again welcomed into the kitchen for another great day of service.
The students once again had a blast interacting with the residents and their fellow volunteers. They kept things light, cracking jokes and making playful jabs at rival sporting team merch worn by a few of the residents. This group was also appreciated for their friendly smiles and happy demeanor.
“I liked getting to meet people in the community and help put their meals together and put a smile on their faces,” said student Colin Foil. “It always feels good to help somebody out.”
When students participate in Study USA, they are encouraged to immerse themselves in the city they call home for the duration of the program, but also to contribute to that community as responsible citizens. These students embraced this mission. Student Olivia Novak remarked that it was, “fulfilling to see the tangible change we were making in these men’s days.”
To learn more about Study USA Charlotte and other Study USA programs, check out the Study USA website. To learn more about the Elon Charlotte campus, check out the National Campus Programs website.