By Matt Aujero, Catholic Volunteer Network Recruiter



Caitlin and I have been preparing, practicing for this day eight hours a day, five days a week.  It was still the pre-season, but this GameDay was real, it still counts, and it was the first one.  And we were on my home court, my alma mater, The Catholic University of America.

Back-to-School: Our first match was on my ol’ stomping yards—CUA.





Purple haze: All set up from banner to tablecloth

And my answers went something like, “I’m doing great.  Got back from Costa Rica.  Loved it.  Actually love it so much I wish everyone could do a year of service.  Which actually leads to what I’m doing here,”  I whip out the RESPONSE book I’m holding.  “I’m actually handing these out.  Here’s one on the house (they’re free.)  This directory lists and organizes all of the nearly 200 volunteer programs out there in all 50 states and all 100 countries.  And what’s cool about them,” (as I take one and flip to the back) “is that it organizes the programs by location, length of service, and interest.  For instance, when I went to Costa Rica, I found my program through here, and actually the Web site an organize it all for you, too.  If anything it’s a good bathroom read.” 

Then if they’re further interested, I might add, “After doing it, I’m a believer in this.  I got to find out more about who I am.  I wouldn’t have found out that I want to be a high school teacher now.  And from my experience and from every volunteer I’ve talked to, it makes us better at what we do now today.  Do you guys remember Kelsey Flynn?  She’s a full-time RN in California, right, she’s got the job, but you know what the other month she came to me and said, ‘Matt, I want to do service.’  What?  Kelsey Flynn who already has the job?  But she still wants to do service?  Something to think about.”

Two hours later, I went back to the table to Caitlin to clean up camp.  “I’m beat.”  “Yeah, me too,” she says.  “Like, my voice is out.  I’m talked out.  Can you imagine doing this four to five days a week, every week for two months?”