The Sisters of Notre Dame are a huge help to the people and students of St. Lawrence Brindisi Parish in the Watts area of Los Angeles. At this Parish, the school population consists of 20% African-American and 80% Hispanic. In 1970, the parishioners of American Martyrs Catholic Church in Manhattan Beach began a day camp that St. Lawrence was apart of. Things like opening a kindergarten and lab and a very affective after-school Literacy Program really helped and contributed to the students lives and futures. High school and college students are employed to tutor the kids and really create a better education for the students. St. Lawrence and American Martyrs Parishes have worked collaboratively for more than 30 years. They incorporate activities and helpful services that include:

• A lunch counter that serves around 75 homeless people several times a week.
• Food and gifts for nearly 500 people on Thanksgiving and Christmas.
• A swap meet that allows 80 local vendors to obtain items at low costs.
• An information center that provides free financial and legal advice.
• Health clinics including education on nutrition, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.
• English classes.

I feel that this service is awesome, and I show great respect for the Sisters of Notre Dame and all the people that contribute to this cause. I think it's really cool how they take so much interest in others' lives rather than so much in their own. All the work they do is creating healthier, happier, and more educated lives for the students and families. A Sister of Notre Dame actually came to my Church and talked about causes like this one and many people contributed to their cause. Giving money to places like these guarantees the money will go to good use and makes you a better person for helping.