Emma ’18 has been volunteering with the homeless to give back to the community. She said she realized she could make a difference in less fortunate people’s lives when she was installing flooring tiles in a center for rehabilitation.

“A lot of the volunteering you do when serving the homeless is seemingly temporary, like preparing meals or cleaning facilities, but this flooring was going to stay in this garage for awhile, and it reminded me that the service that I do does make a difference.”

Emma has cooked and served breakfast for Union Station Homeless Services (USHS) through her church since 2013. In addition to working with USHS, Price also volunteered to refurbish a rehabilitation house with HOPE Worldwide for the Lookout Society in Vancouver, BC.

“I’ve been so blessed in this world, and I want to be able to help other people. The best part of my experience is that I was able to give back,” Emma said.

She explained she is grateful for her current living situation, and she feels called to serve others.

“Through my faith, and I feel that since homelessness is so widespread, this is a good place to start,” Emma said.

She said she believes that in order to get rid of the stigma that surrounds homelessness, people must remember that homelessness can happen to anyone.

“All these people who suffer from homelessness are human, just like you and me, and the vast  majority had absolutely no choice in the matter. If they are acting ‘weird,’ they need help more than anything, not someone making jokes about them. A lot of the stigma, in my opinion, also comes along with the stigma of addictions. Again, people who struggle with addiction need help, and the more people ignore it, the worse it gets,” Emma said.

Emma looks forward to working with HOPE again this summer through a five-week program, which focuses on leadership through service and helping others.