Daniel Pezzola is a delivery driver for New York's Washingtonville Pharmacy who recently earned a bachelor's degree in politics from The Catholic University of America (CUA). While enrolled at the school, Daniel Pezzola volunteered as a leader with its homeless food run, which is one of the school's several campus ministry programs.
In addition to regular mass services and freshman retreats, CUA offers its students with a variety of events and programs in which they can give back to the Washington, D.C., community. One of those programs is DC Reads, which was founded in 1997 as a response to the America Reads Challenge put forth by then-president Bill Clinton. The goal of the challenge was to encourage universities, professional associations, and individuals to team up in an effort to improve reading proficiency among elementary students.
Since the program's inception, hundreds of students throughout Washington, D.C., have been partnered with volunteer students from not only CUA, but Howard University, American University, and George Washington University, as well. The one-on-one and small-group meetings can take place during school, after school, or on Saturdays, depending on student availability. CUA celebrates its volunteer students in a monthly newsletter and hosts an end-of-the-year tutor appreciation week.
