Emory University Student Visit the Town of Kentwood, Louisiana

A Reading Corner setup at Ebony Beauty
Supply in Kentwood, LA

Over the past three days, I have visited the communities of Roseland, Fluker, and Tangipahoa and seen first-hand the rampant poverty that affects the people who live there each and every day,"said Schoderbek. The towns are sparsely populated, and the majority of the residents lack the necessary skills for employment. The rural nature of these communities presents a serious challenge in providing them with the necessary services for community enrichment. Though the issues these areas face are extensive and deep-rooted, William is confident that with the ingenuity of creative minds, solutions can be developed to solve these problems.

While attending Bellarmine College Preparatory School in San Jose, CA., Schoderbek organized two immersion trips to the Mississippi Delta. Giving out books, clothes, gardening, assisting with setting up a Reading Center in Webb, Ms., Schoderbek, along with nine other students and two instructors joined Gathering of Hearts volunteers and co-founder Antoinette Harrell to help serve those in need. This year the students will travel to Louisiana to do immersion work in Tangipahoa Parish with great focus on the north end of the parish.

Customer at Ebony Beauty Supply borrowing a book

Once he arrived in Kentwood, Louisiana he provided tutoring to students on how to apply for scholarships, look for a university to attend. While answering all the questions for students who attend High School in Tangipahoa School District. He also assist Harrell in setting up a reading corner in Ebony Beauty Supply in Kentwood, Louisiana. The next day school supplies were donated to both O.W. Dillion Elementary School and Kentwood Magnet High School.

William enjoy giving back to the community. He understand how important it is to have community enrichment resources for the youth and the community. There isn't one community resource center on the north end of the parish. After school programs and summer enrichment programs can be the road map to help students in the community achieve their goals. Williams in now a student at Emory University in Georgia. However, he left a legacy at Bellarmine College Preparatory School.

Rochell Bates, Principal of Kentwood Magnet High School
receiving donations from Gathering of Hearts and William.

"I'm more than show I'll visit Tangipahoa Parish again," he said with a smile. I was delighted to hear that he wanted to return.
Through social media William can see the work that the student will do this year in Tangipahoa Parish.

Although William will not be join the group this year, I know he will do something this summer to help someone else.