A High School Volunteer at Altadena's Five Acres

Trent Benson, a senior at Loyola High School in Los Angeles and a resident of Sierra Madre, volunteered 85 hours of his time this January at Five Acres school in Altadena.

“I liked being a source of motivation for the kids inside the classroom” said Benson. “The kids wanted to complete their work so that they can interact with us. It’s all a part of our Jesuit philosophy at Loyola, ‘to be men for and with others.’”

Benson is a classroom assistant in Grace Kane’s third year class. Her students’ abilities and functioning levels range from the 2nd to 8th grade levels.

“We enjoy having new faces around for the kids,” said Kane. “The kids get very involved and ask them for help because they don’t see them as a threat.”

Five Acres is a rehabilitative school for kids with learning disabilities and emotional challenges or who have been abused and neglected and need a classroom that will cater to their learning styles. About half of the school’s 80 students live on-site in cottages.

Part of Benson’s time at Five Acres was spent being a role model, providing support and encouraging the students to complete their work. Staff says that having volunteers like Benson helps students overcome shyness and improve their behavior.

“I liked having [volunteer students] here because we shared similar interests, like swimming and video games,” said an 11-year-old boy who lives at Five Acres. “And I’m glad they’re going to visit again in the summer.” 

Loyola has partnered with Five Acres for more than 20 years. Every January, Loyola students all complete a three-week community service immersion project.