By Hannah Kuhn
News and Features Editor
Escape Zone student staff Michael Ketchel, Rachel Palmer, and twin sisters Kirsten and Elizabeth Gruber like to goof off with the kids and together. Photo courtesy of Brittany-Lee Pezzelle
CoSMO groups give students the chance to get outside of the MVNU “bubble” and reach out to those in Mount Vernon and beyond. However, ministering to others often requires sacrifice.
The volunteers for the Escape Zone CoSMO group are all too familiar with the concept of sacrifice. They willingly and happily give their time and talent to help area children. Originally designed as an after school and late night
center for teenagers, the Escape Zone has morphed into a care service for children as young as seven years old.
Brittany-Lee Pezzelle, social work major and leader of the Escape Zone, is dedicated to helping reach local children with the love of Christ.
“We do a lot of dancing and fun things like drawing and pool,” Pezzelle said. “We play ping-pong with the younger kids.”
The Escape Zone is more than just a fun place to go to get off the streets; it is also a place where youth can receive support.
Many of the volunteers are available to listen and give peer advice when needed. Kids also need help with homework, and many volunteers serve as tutors as well as mentors.
Many of the kids who come to the center live in challenging home situations.
“It can be difficult at times to stomach some of the situations these kids come from,” Pezzelle said. “It is heartbreaking, but it is so rewarding to watch them grow.”
While the volunteers from the school come from different backgrounds and majors, the one common theme between them is the desire to serve Christ by caring for the children and teenagers. They all bring with them different skills and talents as well.
“We strive to spread the word of Christ through actions,” Pezzelle said, “and to use our specific skills and talents to help kids.”
The center needs about $10,000 to stay running this coming year. That pays for rent, snacks and activities for kids.
Currently, the group has raised $2,000 towards the cause, but it still has a very long way to go.
Anyone interested in helping out, financially or otherwise, should contact Pezzelle at bpezzell@mail.mvnu.edu.