Molly R. J. McCarthy
Hamburg, N.Y.
Class year: 2008
Major: Masters in Counseling, Buffalo Center
I’m passionate about working with children and young adults with disabilities. For over 14 years I’ve been working at a summer camp for disabled and disadvantaged children in Angola, N.Y. called Cradle Beach Camp.
In October of 2009, I was offered an opportunity to work full time at Cradle Beach in the Admissions Office.
This is through an AmeriCorps grant that pays me a living stipend but allows me to volunteer full time. I have been learning what it takes to help families realize the “dream” of sending their children to camp. It’s very rewarding!
I feel that what I do is very much in line with St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan ideals. I believe that I chose SBU because it holds the idea of service to others in such reverence.
Now I think that my education gives me a unique view on the families and children I work with. I see people, not disabilities, nor economics, or ethnicity - just people who would like to have their children come to camp and children who want to enjoy the camping experience.