Serving the Community

October 6, 2022

UIW serves San Antonio during Meet the Mission

Service is one of UIW’s core values, and recently, students across campus came together to live out that value during UIW’s annual Meet the Mission event. This event, which is sponsored by Mission and Ministry, has allowed countless faculty, staff and students to serve the local San Antonio community since 2006.

“It is important for us as a University community to be a vibrant, compassionate, and prophetic presence in the local community,” said Sister Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president of Mission and Ministry. “I believe our interactions with the people of San Antonio transform us as we experience the joys and see the hopes of the community.”


Josh Morgan | Junior | Criminal Justice

Josh Morgan and teammates working at Meet the Mission

Why did you participate in Meet the Mission?

“I participated in Meet the Mission because giving back to the school helps enhance the community.”

What did you learn during Meet the Mission?

“During my participation, I learned that giving back comes in many different forms that can sometimes go unnoticed. Overall, volunteering at Headwaters was a great learning experience for me and my teammates. We learned new skills, like how to lay fence posts. We put the fence posts up around the sacred space and were able to enhance the grounds around us.”


Brenna Perez | Junior | Communications

Breanna Perez and her team at Meet the Mission

Why did you participate in Meet the Mission?

“I participated in Meet the Mission because my teammates and I wanted to help the community and try to make a change. We signed up for the Haven for Hope Community Kitchen, which was such an amazing experience! We made 2,000 sandwiches in four hours!”

What did you learn during Meet the Mission?

“I learned that no matter what, kindness is always appreciated and can go a long way. Making those 2,000 sandwiches helps make an impact in the community, but it really shows what we can do if we all come together as one to accomplish something. It was really inspiring. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I loved every second of helping!”


George Sikazwe | Junior | Electrical Engineering

George Sikazwe and team during Meet the Mission

Why did you participate in Meet the Mission?

"I participated in Meet the Mission because it was a good way to give back and earn community service hours while helping others.”

What did you learn during Meet the Mission?

“I would say the thing I've learned most from Meet the Mission is that UIW seeks to have an impact broader than itself. Meet the Mission was fun. Getting to work as part of a team and represent UIW was a great experience."

Jose Ochoa | Sophomore | Art; Spencer Salas | Sophomore | Meteorology


Spencer Salas, Jose Ochoa and team at Meet the Mission

Why did you participate in Meet the Mission?

Ochoa: “I participated because I was taught by my family that serving your community is key to making a difference.”

Salas: “I participated in Meet the Mission because it felt like a nice event to go and do work for the community.”

What did you learn during Meet the Mission?

Ochoa: “I learned that the community is always in need of help. It's never hard to lend a helping hand because many things can be done to make our community beautiful.”

Salas: “Through Meet the Mission, I learned that there are so many things bigger than us that we can be part of. We can do good for not just ourselves, but for others!”