Katie Connolly
Catholic University of America
Katie Connolly is a third year undergraduate student at The Catholic University of America studying Social Work. Katie has spent two years on the Brookland Outreach committee that hosts three large scale seasonal events targeted towards children and families in the Brookland neighborhood surrounding Catholic U. Committed to integrating the college and local community, Katie has been integral to the success of these events that provide children safe play spaces and an opportunity to be on a college campus.
Katie has served on Catholic U's Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week committee for two years and has helped organize and implement educational events and service opportunities for the Catholic U community.
Katie is also part of the Cardinal Service Corps Leadership Team, a small group of students who return to school a week early for rigorous training on serving needy populations and social justice. After this training, they are tasked with being a resource for their peers, and they lead workshops that focus on service, justice, and leadership skills.
Personal Statement
I have been involved in social justice efforts on my college campus since freshman year. I became significantly involved in our weekly service programs, regularly attending S.O.M.E., an area soup kitchen, and weekly homeless food runs on Thursday evenings. In interacting with these individuals and sharing conversations, I am breaking barriers and addressing homelessness in Washington, D.C. Homeless outreach is one area that I find myself drawn to as I am able to make connections with people, hear their stories, and impact change. These experiences led me to apply for a Social Work internship with Open Arms Housing, Inc., a non-profit organization working to provide housing for women who have been experiencing chronic homelessness. Through this internship I am able to connect with the women and learn about the barriers they have faced in trying to obtain housing. In my work to make systemic changes, I will be leading weekly social groups focusing on topics of need for these women. I am also a service site leader with the CUA Cardinal Service Corps. I help plan and lead large events for the Brookland community, helping engage the campus and the neighboring community in shared experiences.
