Service Beyond Campus: Monica’s Story
When Monica W. arrived at Ave Maria University two years ago, she brought with her a passion for service that would transform both the campus and surrounding community. Now a recent graduate with a degree in Elementary Education, Monica has established two significant AMU ministries that will continue to flourish.
Monica’s journey of service began during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she started making Christmas cards for nursing home residents in her hometown. This initiative evolved into “Oldies but Goodies,” a ministry that now sends Ave Maria students to over 20 senior living facilities in Naples every Sunday.
“After reading Matthew Kelly’s book (PerfectlyYourself), I realized how society has abandoned the elderly, and many haven’t had visitors in months,” Monica explained. What started with one student making solo visits has grown into a student-led operation that deploys two 12-passenger vans weekly, bringing joy through song, conversation, and prayer to hundreds of seniors.
During her time here, Monica worked with the Mother Teresa Project to establish Ave Maria’s first overnight mission trips to Miami, where students serve alongside the Missionaries of Charity. After participating in the inaugural trip during spring break, Monica coordinated with the sisters to create a sustainable weekend mission program that continues today. These experiences allowed students to prepare meals, organize supplies, and—most meaningfully—share conversations with homeless women staying at the shelter.
“The most meaningful moments are when I get to encounter the most isolated during door-to-door ministry,” Monica shared about her senior living facility visits. Her team has met remarkable individuals including a man who brought the Beatles to America, a woman who survived the Holocaust, and countless others eager to share their stories. One resident, teary-eyed, told her group: “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to us. If you keep doing what you are doing, you will change the world.”
As Monica graduates, she hopes to help establish service scholarships at AveMaria. “I hope to work with the University in creating at least three service scholarships to bring students on fire for service who can help transform the culture,” she says. Monica’s legacy demonstrates how one student’s initiative can create lasting change, providing our university community with opportunities to live out the Gospel.
