TimesLeader.com

November 2

Prep student helps out at St. Joe’s

Lauren Opsasnick, 17, of Scranton and a Scranton Preparatory School senior, says people with special needs are not that different.

The daughter of Margo and Stephen Opsasnick has two brothers, Christian, 13, and Mark, 15, who has Down syndrome.

Watching her mother volunteer at St. Joseph’s Center, the United Way and other area organizations encouraged Lauren to volunteer herself.

“She’s always felt so good about it,” Lauren said about her mom. “Just watching her makes me feel really good about volunteering and she’s inspired me to do so.”

She tutors in math at her school and serves meals at the Church of The Good Shepherd, Scranton.

Mark, however, inspired her to join St. Joseph’s and also help form a youth auxiliary, the Junior Auxiliary at St. Joseph’s Center.

“Four or five kids from Prep who were also involved with St. Joe’s got together and we started the group,” she said. The group was founded two years ago as a school project and Lauren serves as vice president.

“Our main goal was to raise money for the residents and to get other people from the community involved so that they’re able to understand and appreciate the residents with special needs,” she said.

“It started exceeding the limits,” she added. she and others decided to keep it going. Today, the group has more than 30 members.

“I like how all the money we raise goes to the residents themselves. I know that they appreciate it and it’s really great for them,” Lauren said.

She noted the group’s two major fundraisers are a walk-a-thon held on Mother’s Day and a dance-a-thon held two weeks ago.

Proceeds from the walk-a-thons were used to purchase standers for residents at St. Joseph’s Center.

“They’re machines that allow the residents to stand up. They’re able to be at eye level with nurses and their visitors,” she explained. “It’s basically that they’re equal and everything and then also it strengthens their legs.

“Last Christmas, this one resident, he was so excited because it was the first time he was actually able to use a stander and put the star on top of the Christmas tree,” she related. It’s moments like these that keep her motivated.

The dance-a-thon raised more than $10,000. Lauren said the money will be used to improve outdoor space for residents.

Through volunteering, she also hopes to change perceptions.

“Ever since (Mark) was born, I’ve always had to live with the fact that he’s different but still understand that he’s a human being and he deserves the respect and the treatment we all get,” she said.

In the resident halls at St. Joseph’s Center, Lauren has met residents like her brother, who resides at home.

In the resident bedroom, she said, Harry Potter and Miley Cyrus posters adorn the walls, like many other teenagers’ rooms.

Lauren is also researching other opportunities at St. Joseph’s that would allow her to interact one-on-one with residents. These experiences, she says, will help shape her career goals.

“I want to be a physician of some sort. I’m not sure what kind, but I definitely want to go to medical school,” she said. “I’ve always had a passion and a love for science but I never knew what I want to do with it, and by doing this and seeing the residents it defiantly made me want to explore a career in medicine.”

“I can honestly say that he’s …my role model…he isn’t able to talk but I know that he knows in his own way and I’m sure he loves it because he loves people spending time with him so it’s like an extension.”

Lauren said she wants her work at St. Joseph’s Center to encourage others to volunteer and help those with special needs.

“They might be a little different, but they’re normal people,” she said.

Lauren Opsasnick

Town of residence: Scranton

Occupation: High school student

Charities, volunteer work: Co-founder and vice president, St. Joseph’s Junior Auxiliary; math tutor; serves meals at the Church of The Good Shepherd, Scranton

Family: Parents, Margo and Stephen Opsasnick; brothers, Mark, 15, Christian, 13

Education: Senior at Scranton Preparatory School

Hobbies, interests: Piano, school newspaper proofreader, sells tickets at school events, member of the National Honor Society, and forward on the school’s basketball team

Volunteer of the Week is a regular feature in The Times Leader Scranton Edition that recognizes individuals, businesses or other organizations for their volunteer efforts and contributions to their communities. To nominate someone for this feature, e-mail mondrako@scrantonedition.com or call 558-01 13.