Loyola Academy Rowers Host St. Joseph Services Campers

On Friday July 12th, St. Joseph Services' summer campers joined rowers from Loyola Academy for a day of fun on the North Shore Channel. This marks the 11th year that Loyola Academy Rowing Association has hosted campers for this "Learn to Row" service event.

Youth from Austin and Humboldt Park neighborhoods were offered a crash course in rowing technique and safety before going out on the water. After their time on the channel, campers were treated to grilled hotdogs and burgers courtesy of LARA coaches and parents who staged the event at the Skokie Park District’s Dammrich Rowing Center (also Loyola and New Trier’s boat house). Student athletes led games, assisted in the boats with instruction, and enjoyed building new relationships with campers.

Loyola Academy began its partnership with St. Joseph Services in 2008 when LARA alumnus and coach, Tim Kelley first mobilized Loyola Academy rowers to partner with St. Joseph Services' summer camp programs for a day of rowing and fun. In addition to providing a new experience for these deserving kids, crew team members worked to raise funds to sponsor a camper for a week of rowing camp at Dammrich. Today, money raised in connection with the day of service is donated back to St. Joseph Services to help provide the resources these kids rely on back home.

St. Joseph Services was founded in 2001 by the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul who have been serving the needs of the poor in the city of Chicago since 1861. Service sites are located in the underserved communities of Humboldt Park and Austin. St. Joseph Services' vision is that collaborations are the most cost effective way to help the most people. Currently partnering with St. Angela School, Josephinum Academy, Resurrection Parish, St. Aloysius Parish and others, the organization offers a range of programming to youth and families of the communities they serve, and engages a large corps of talented volunteers for direct service. St Joseph Services develops youth, educates adults and transforms lives. For more information, visit www.stjosephservices.org.