April 15, 2016

Women's Lacrosse Takes Part In Friends of Rockaway

In an effort to broaden student-athletes’ experience and instill a sense of service to all, the Regis College women’s lacrosse team took the opportunity to travel to New York City this spring break. In the Big Apple, the team volunteered with Friends of Rockaway (www.friendsofrockaway.com), a community-based nonprofit organization founded in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Rockaway Peninsula

WESTON, Mass. - In an effort to broaden student-athletes’ experience and instill a sense of service to all, the Regis College women’s lacrosse team took the opportunity to travel to New York City this spring break. In the Big Apple, the team volunteered with Friends of Rockaway (www.friendsofrockaway.org), a community-based nonprofit organization founded in response to the devastating effects of Hurricane Sandy on the Rockaway Peninsula. Now operating as a local affiliate of the St. Bernard Project, they are rebuilding homes for Sandy-impacted families, who were displaced from the storm and cannot afford to rebuild on their own.

As told by freshman attacker, Taylor Assarian:

On October 22, 2012 a hurricane hit that struck tragedy in 24 states. More than three years later, the aftermath would still show in the lingering destruction. It is because of programs like the Friends of Rockaway that rebuild these broken homes and families that such incredible progress has been made. When the Regis College women’s lacrosse team discovered an opportunity to work with this nonprofit group to help rebuild a home, we took it immediately. Our experience was unforgettable.

Day 1

After an hour commute from our temporary home in Brooklyn to our worksite in Far Rockaway, we took a deep breath and entered the home we’d be rebuilding. Not knowing what to expect, we were relieved when the leader of the project, Solaine, greeted us with a warm welcome. Immediately, we circled up in a room surrounded by wooden beams and the echoes of nail guns and voices on the floor above us. In a ten minute span we were taught detailed instructions of how to measure, cut, and hang dry wall on the beams. In no time, we were split up into makeshift teams with measuring tapes and pencils at hand. We spent that day perfecting the trade we’d just learned and bonding in ways we hadn’t before; with both old and new friends.

Day 2

Feeling more confident and expectant going into the second day, we were eager and attentive when we were taught our next task; mudding. We circled up in the same room, this time surrounded by the dry wall we’d hung. Before we could begin, we broke into teams of 2 and hauled pieces of dry wall inside. Each piece was around 80 pounds and there were tons of them. We weaved them in the close parameters of the door, up the stairs, and around tight corners. Once we finished, we began mudding. We worked until every crack and crevasse was covered, and so were our clothes. This task in particular took patience, something we were lacking by lunch time. Our leader decided we would all benefit from an ocean side lunch break, which was incredible. Our mental and physical exhaustion was rewarded with the sound of waves crashing and sand beneath our feet, in the middle of March!

Day 3

Last, but certainly not least. This day was the most gratifying and fulfilling. When we walked into the home, we looked around at the visible improvements we had made in the last 2 days. The 3 rooms that were held up by wooden beams were now covered in precisely measured dry wall and carefully mudded with cement we hand made. This day was about reflecting on the ways we’d worked together as a team off the lacrosse field. We shared triumphs and frustrations we hadn’t felt before, with people we would remember forever.