The second week of school can be very stressful for many- adjusting to waking up early, all the syllabi, and letting go of fun summer activities and traditions. However, Junior Patrick McMahan finds relief in his church and volunteering there. About it he says, “I’ve started volunteering at my church for about a month or 2 now and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ve met amazing people as a result, people who will stand right next to me and not run away even after hearing my past.” Patrick goes to Grace Family Church, and usually volunteers by “…being there to help the church in anyway needed, through heavy lifting, charities or helping out for service on the floor, on stage, or in the tech both where I am at.”

He continues by saying “…I go to my church for volunteering every weekend and on Wednesdays; weekends are for the children and the Wednesdays I’m there for the teens, like me, who most also come from bad back stories. Given, it is very stressful being in control of the one thing that can not be messed up otherwise everything crashes down, but I’m fine with that, I get to see people find the light and that’s good enough for me.” Hopefully everyone can find something for them that relieves the stress of school and of life, for them and for others just like Patrick does.