STA staff serve at border shelter in texas

July 25, 2022

Last week, Barbara McCormick, STA Principal of Academic Affairs, and Jennifer Greene, STA Department Chair and theology teacher, traveled to Laredo, Texas, to volunteer at the La Frontera Migrant Shelter. Their volunteer work supported Helping Hands, a grassroots interfaith collaborative formed to support the shelter.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Laredo opened La Frontera several years ago when the Border Patrol announced it would be releasing immigrants from detention centers to the streets. In response, three Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet drove from St. Louis to the U.S.-Mexico border in April 2021. They traveled in a van filled with donations of medical supplies and clothing for migrants. Although it wasn’t their first trip to volunteer at a border shelter, it was the first time they had more donations than the van could accommodate.

Word spread quickly through the St. Louis area. Support from the Catholic and Jewish communities led to a second trip, and eventually to the formation of Helping Hands.

McCormick and Greene spent a week volunteering in various capacities to help people who have migrated to the U.S. access food, clothing and hygiene items.

“It was a tremendous experience,” said McCormick. “To be able to reach out and serve the dear neighbor in the spirit of unifying love was an honor.”

Barbara McCormick (left) and Jennifer Greene (center) traveled to Laredo, Texas, in July to volunteer at La Frontera Migrant Shelter.