Fall Family Weekend 2022

During Fall Family Weekend, Gonzaga University families gathered to volunteer at Family Promise, a local organization that supports homeless families in the Spokane area. Gonzaga volunteers beautified one of Family Promise’s safe houses by performing needed yard and garden work. The home is located in the Logan neighborhood and provides 6 families with infants a safe and secure place to live. This service opportunity was a collaboration of the Center for Community Engagement and New Student and Parent Programs.

Gonzaga families brought their best! One parent found a vase and used the pruned roses to brighten the families’ home. Another parent bought and donated needed gardening tools.

Reflecting on her experience with both Service Northeast during New Student Orientation and Fall Family Weekend, one student participant shared how encouraging it was to be a part of both experiences. Both offered opportunities to engage with the local community and learn more about our neighbors.

“As a Volunteer Manager, I have an idea of what volunteer groups regularly give during such group service events, and I have expectations of what the time will look like,” said Hannah Higgins, volunteer manager with Family Promise. “Every so often, I engage with a group that is exceptional, and serves in ways that go above and beyond what is expected. . In the best ways possible, this was one of those groups!”.