LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
june 15th to july 1st, 2021
Food For All is a charity that cooks and serves fresh, vegetarian meals for London’s homeless population. During COVID-19, thousands have suffered with housing and nutrition. For two weeks, Kristian served as a volunteer, preparing and distributing food in England. In 2021, Food for All was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.
LOURDES, FRANCE
JULY 6-16, 2019
Lourdes is a place of healing and a global pilgrimage destination. Pilgrims travel across the world to drink and bathe in the water flowing from a sacred spring that the Virgin Mary is said to have created. The water is known to heal sickness. Men, women, and children of the most extreme physical/mental illnesses come to Lourdes and need assistance in the bathing at the grotto, as well as transportation from the train stations to the hospitals using stretchers/wheelchairs/wagons. Kristian’s tasks as a volunteer including carrying, bathing, and assisting the paralyzed, the blind, the diseased, and those disabled in need of healing. A Lourdes trip is challenging, known to take from all volunteers an emotional and bodily toll, though is a pure experience to witness humanity. He hopes to serve in Lourdes yearly for the rest of his life.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
March 8-15, 2019. "Thrive in joy"
After serving in 2018, Kristian returned to the Dominican Republic to lead a group of volunteers in the city of Herrera. The trip was made possible by the USC Caruso Catholic Church, who partnered with Vision Trust. His trip included visiting orphanages, schools, churches, and building a kitchen at one of the K-12 schools. The particular group of children have HIV, and the Vision Trust works to ensure the well-being of their adolescence and future.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
July 15-18, 2018
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S FUND
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
During the school year, Kristian regularly led groups of students to local food banks in Los Angeles. This photo was taken at the St. Francis Center, where volunteers package and distribute produce and goods to low-income families in downtown. Within his freshman year, he was immediately offered the USC Service Award.