The Franciscan Center for Social Concern has allowed me to get involved on and outside the Bonaventure campus. Bona Buddies is a youth mentor program that I have been active with for four years. It was one of the first clubs I joined at Bona's. Once a week I meet with my buddy, Kennlee, and we do homework, play monopoly, and do different crafts. These two hours are the best two hours of my week and I value the relationship I have been able to build with my buddy.

I have also been involved with Silver Wolves which is a group of volunteers that meets weekly to volunteer at a local nursing home. My friends and I play trivia and yahtzee with members during the week and have special holiday crafts to do on the weekend. During the past few years we have been able to get to know the members at the nursing home, and we have a lot of fun ourselves.

Finally, new to the Franciscan Center for Social Concern is the SBU Food Pantry. As one of the volunteers, I am assigned shifts to open the pantry. It is open for students, faculty, and staff in need. The food pantry has been a great way for me to give back to the Bonaventure community.

These programs and others run by the Franciscan Center for Social Concern are extremely important to St. Bonaventure and need your support to continue. Any donation you can make would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-Lara