Showing 40 of 40 articles
Salt and Light
Karen Hildebrandt: Quiet Hero
In a heartfelt story from Mendoza, Karen Hildebrandt feels compelled to donate a kidney to Rebecca, a woman struggling with kidney disease. Inspired by her own family's experience with illness, particularly her husband Larry's battle with cancer, Hildebrandt reflects on the support they received during difficult times. After discovering Rebecca's plea on a billboard, she takes a leap of faith and begins the process of becoming a donor, motivated by a desire to impact someone's life positively.
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Karen Slaggert: Suffer the Little Children
The Tapachula prison in southern Mexico operates with communal living arrangements, where families often stay together amidst dire circumstances. Karen Slaggert, associate director of the Gigot Center for Entrepreneurship, shares the troubling environment for children living within the prison but points to a hopeful initiative by Mission on the Move. This organization, founded by an American couple, provides care for up to 60 children from incarcerated parents, helping them pursue education and a brighter future. Slaggert, who has volunteered with the mission for a decade, describes the challenging yet rewarding work of cooking and caring for the children, emphasizing the
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Kristin Collett-Schmitt: To Honor Mackenzie
Seven weeks before her twin daughters were born, Kristen Collett-Schmitt faced devastating news when one of the babies, Mackenzie, was found to have no heartbeat. Following a harrowing delivery, surviving twin Harper quickly began her fight in the neonatal intensive care unit. Now a vibrant 4-year-old, Harper inspires her family to support others facing similar challenges through donations of preemie clothes and fundraising for the Mackenzie Taylor Schmitt Memorial Fund, honoring her late sister while celebrating Harper's journey.
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Maggie Neenan-Michel: Born to Run
Maggie Neenan-Michel, a dedicated greyhound rescue advocate, balances her love for dogs with her role at Mendoza while sharing her journey in helping transition racing greyhounds into family pets. Through All Star Greyhounds, she has successfully matched dozens of dogs with loving families in the South Bend area, fostering a community around this important cause. Neenan-Michel's ongoing efforts, including fundraising at Notre Dame hockey games, have contributed to significant decreases in euthanasia rates for these gentle breeds.
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Mike Mannor: New Hope for Down Syndrome
Dame community, dedicate their efforts to raising funds and awareness for Down syndrome research through engaging events like A Night of Art & Blues. After receiving a prenatal diagnosis for his daughter Sophia, Mike Mannor turned his personal journey into a professional mission, connecting students with Research Down Syndrome to tackle real-world strategic initiatives. Mannor emphasizes the potential of recent advances in research, aiming to improve the lives of individuals with Down syndrome while fostering community involvement and learning.
Salt and Light
More Salt & Light
John Gaski, a marketing professor, has been advocating for restoring eastern Indiana to Central Time for five years, while Sandra Collins dedicates her time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for neglected children. Jerry Langley contributes to the South Bend Civic Theater and Volunteers of America, supporting various community initiatives. Wendy Angst volunteers with the YWCA of North Central Indiana, helping victims of domestic violence, and Mike Vogel focuses on child advocacy at the CASIE Center. James O'Rourke IV coordinates ushers at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, and Julie Phillips actively engages in educational service on a
Salt and Light
Patti Reinhardt: Survivor's Tale
Patti Reinhardt's deep commitment to Relay for Life stems from her personal experiences with cancer, affecting both her family and herself. After surviving a serious car accident and losing close family members to cancer, she became an integral part of the Relay for Life team, playing multiple roles over the years. Her story highlights the importance of community support in the fight against cancer and the profound impact that participating in events like Relay for Life can have on individuals and their families.
Salt and Light
Salt & Light
The teachings of Jesus about being "salt and light" come to life through the inspiring stories of Mendoza faculty and staff. A recent call for personal missions shared a range of experiences, from humorous to heartfelt, illustrating how community members strive to make a difference and serve as beacons of hope. Readers can find a selection of these impactful narratives that reflect the commitment to living out these values both big and small.
Salt and Light
Salt & Light: Passionate About Human Dignity
Father Oliver Williams shares insights from his extensive work in developing countries, advocating for the UN Global Compact as a vital means for fostering ethical standards in global business. Drawing from his experiences and historical examples like Nike, he emphasizes the importance of establishing consensus on ethical norms to protect human rights and ensure humane working conditions in multinational supply chains. Through his reflections, Williams argues for a collective responsibility among businesses to address these critical issues.
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Salt & Light: There's Always Room in the Inn
Before taking on the role of director of Nonprofit Professional Development at Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, the author dedicated many years to humanitarian work, including serving as president of Catholic Charities USA. More recently, a personal commitment to animal welfare, especially for cats, has grown, influenced by his wife's compassionate values. Their home often becomes a refuge for injured animals, demonstrating how their shared efforts extend beyond human services to embrace a caring approach for all living beings.