Cate students volunteer and connect with UCP residents

CARPINTERIA, Calif. -- The safer at home order due to the coronavirus has not stopped Cate School students from maintaining their connection to residents of Manitou House.

Weekly game nights shifted to Zoom for the small group of students to keep in touch with the five men who have lived in the United Cerebral Palsy residence for nearly 40 years.

"The public service experience is more about the ritual and getting to see familiar faces,” said Cate School Director of Community Engagement Will Holmes, “Our students are super grounded and are in better spirits after they leave, plus they learn to take different perspectives.”

The Manitou residents wear Cate t-shirts while playing Bingo and Sorry! with the students.

"The guys are more outgoing when the students come on the screen," UCP WORK, Inc. life skills coach, Joette Demeter said. "They all perk up on game night."

Volunteering for public service hours is not required at Cate School. The Public Service Night Program is made up of a group of 5-7 high school students who volunteer weekly with a number of local organizations.

"I get the privilege of doing little deeds, like making cookies and brownies for the men at Manitou, to spread a bit of joy," Cate Senior Finnian Wheelan said. "One hour of baking is not a sacrifice when I see the residents smile and wave when I drop off treats."

Other local organizations in the Cate School Public Service Night Program are PATH, Transition House, Shepherd Place Apartments, and Cornerstone House. For more information about Cate School, visit https://www.cate.org