Summer Vacation

For students, the end of May marks three glorious months of freedom from school – no homework, no rushing to catch the bus in the morning, no cramming for finals. Many high school and college students planned to work this summer. Unfortunately, the current recession has eroded job possibilities for students along with the regular, full-time work force. These students face a summer without a paycheck in sight and a 2009-2010 academic year that will feel the financial pinch.

If students aren’t working this summer, what options are open to them? They need something constructive to do with their time to give purpose to their days and keep them out of trouble. I’m proud to say that I know several teenagers who developed new opportunities when they were unable to find paying work.

One young lady is volunteering at a nursing home by starting a book club for residents. One young man is mowing lawns, for free, for several senior citizens on fixed incomes. Another teenage girl is volunteering at a local animal shelter. They won’t collect one paycheck for their work all summer long, but the return on their investment, in others and their communities, should pay dividends for their entire lives.

Kate Kenny, managing editor, Columban Mission magazine