Living Serviam

Like so many Ursuline graduates, Catherine Blizzard ’16 has sought out meaningful ways to serve and connect with people in her community as well as around the world.

Mountains in Amedzofe in the Volta Region, Ghana

As an International and Global Studies major at Middlebury College in Vermont, Catherine developed a keen interest in development and global health. In January 2020, she jumped at the opportunity to join a student-run health program that aimed to provide free dental and medical care to communities in the Volta Region of Ghana.

She embarked fully intending to provide dental care to these communities, but struggled to see an organization provide services for a week, and leave, unable to make a sustainable impact – as soon as the dentists left, there was minimal access to care until the next group arrived.

Upon returning to the United States, Catherine re-evaluated her role. Fellow Middlebury student Natalie Meyer shared Catherine’s frustrations with the program. They then connected with Kofi Nyalimba, Natalie’s colleague located in the Volta Region who helped facilitate the dental clinic. He too wished for a more sustainable and equitable program for his community.

The conversation they shared, 5,000 miles apart, solidified their interest in transforming global health from platforms that heavily rely on Western aid to community-based organizations that are sustainable and economically viable.

Together, Catherine, Natalie, and Kofi founded Ene Empower, an NGO* with the mission to promote the development of women leaders by increasing access to education, furnishing menstrual products, and reducing the violence and stigma around female reproductive health.

To ensure that their non-profit remains community-based, both Catherine and Natalie only provide background assistance to Kofi, who, as a respected champion of healthcare in the Volta Region, is the face of Ene Empower.

Catherine Blizzard is currently a Princeton in Africa Fellow working with MEET – Mount Elgon Ecosystem Trust in Western Kenya while she simultaneously builds the foundation for Ene Empower.

“Learning about Serviam at Ursuline made a profound impact on my life,” Catherine said. “It taught me the vital skills of compassion and empathy and the importance of connecting with people from different upbringings and social backgrounds.”

To learn more about Ene Empower, visit www.eneempower.org

MAY 14 2022

“Regard yourselves as ministers and servants reflecting that you have more need to serve them than they have to be served by you.”

-St. Angela Merici, First Council

International Serviam Day (ISD) is a dedicated day each year when Ursuline community members around the world come together to serve their local communities, further reinforcing our call to serve others.

The first Ursuline International Serviam Day was held in Spring 2017. More than 50 students, parents, and alumnae participated in service opportunities in the Dallas area. Individual alumnae in Asia and Europe served in their own communities, kicking off our global reach.

Now in its 5th year, ISD has expanded to include nine Ursuline schools in the U.S. collaborating to create new service opportunities in cities across the nation and around the world. Find a Serviam Site near you!

Denver Chicago

St. Louis Dedham/Boston

Toledo

Bronx Wilmington District of Columbia

Cincinnati Louisville

Dallas

Austin

Houston New Orleans For more information contact: alumnae@ursulinedallas.org

Service Learning and The Perot Project

he Service-Learning Experience (SLE) class at Ursuline Academy explores students’ passions around world issues and applies them to service in their immediate community. Students team together to explore and research local organizations with which they can partner to create a sustainable program or permanent impact project.

Last spring, four Ursuline SLE students took part in a test project at The Perot Museum of Nature and Science that incorporated both volunteering and social media outreach. They organized school group volunteers, developed a special event around Earth Day, and researched and posted their own social media commentary to share what they had learned to promote sustainability and care for the environment.

SLE students model their clothing creations

A Collaborative Effort

Juliana Stanford ’21, Sarah Troegel ’21, Aileen Alarcon ’22, and Siena Theivagt ’22 decided to focus their Service-Learning Experience class project on the importance of recycling.

Centered on the United Nation’s goal “Life on Land,” they created a collaborative effort to champion environmental protection by encouraging purchase of longer-lasting clothing constructed from eco-friendly materials.

“Buying durable clothing made from eco-friendly fabrics may cost a bit more up-front, but those items will last a long time and become staples in your wardrobe,” said Siena. “What consumers should try to avoid is cheaply made, ‘throw away’ clothing that barely lasts a season.”

The students’ research led them to invite other students across the Dallas metroplex to create clothing and accessories made from recycled materials or household items to model in a fashion show at The Perot Museum of Nature and Science.

The Recycled Fashion Show was held on April 24, featuring purely recycled fashion items. Contestants were judged on creativity, design, and incorporation of recycled items. The Ursuline team was grateful for the opportunity to work with The Perot Museum and to see students from local schools come together for a worthy cause. “We are also hoping that the viewers and contestants would be able to see what they can create from their ‘trash’ using just a little bit of creativity,” said Aileen.

As President of the Environmental Club at the time, Juliana also hoped to learn more about the environment from a leadership perspective.

“I have always been on the hunt for service projects,” she said. “And this allowed me to practice leadership and open up more opportunities for others as well.”

All four students are passionate about the environment and want to ensure that it is preserved for future generations.

SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF THE FAST FASHION INDUSTRY SAVE THE EARTH IN STYLE!

• Create clothing from recyclables or household items • Model your outfit in a fashion show at the Perot Museum on April 24th , 2021 from 9:30-10:30 a.m • Cash prizes for top 3 contestants based on creativity, design, and incorporation of recycled items • Earn service hours and build your resume • Must be at least 14 years old to participate • Text @h3k2ag to 81010 for further details

Eco-Friendly Fabrics.pdf 1 2/11/22 12:17 PM

Recycled Fashion Show PRESENTED BY: THE PEROT MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE

View the Recycled Fashion Show Photo Album “Pope Francis calls the world to an ‘ecological conversion’ and asks us to work together to protect our planet,” said Siena. “We hoped this fun and innovative event would help meet those goals.”

“After researching, investing time, and talking with The Perot Museum’s representatives learning about their motivation toward caring for the environment, I was inspired,” Sarah said. “I now feel twice as passionate to share that information with our community.”

“If we do not do anything to help our planet, even something small like advocating for sustainable clothing, we will continue to witness our planet deteriorate, and won’t be able to do anything about it,” she added. “If everyone puts in an effort, we can help slow down climate change.”