By Heidi Glaus
Florissant, MO (KSDK) - Every high school has a team, if not several, and like each of them this team at Northview High School in Florissant mixes things up and then passes off to their teammate.
But this team's game plan is a little spicier.
"We made chicken and black bean enchiladas," points out Sonja Conley, social worker for the Special School District.
You see, once a month for the last four years they have come together to make casseroles. Apparently, however, it's a dish they don't get to sample.
"No, I wish I would it looks so good," says Mark Nananney, a student.
Understandable because what they're spooning up is something delicious for St. Patrick Center's Rosati Group home.
"Before we even participate in making the casseroles we do a unit on hunger and homelessness so we talk about what hunger looks like, we talk about what homeless looks like," Conley explains.
"I really like helping them some are less fortunate than other so I just think I need to put in a little work for them," Nananney adds.
But there's another reason this team stands out from the rest.
"I would say this could be one of the most unique teams we have because you have a group of students who are working together across their disabilities to help others in our community who are less fortunate in a different way," explains Kelly Peach with St. Patrick Center.
"Some of our students have physical disabilities, that maybe visual or hearing impairment. Some of our students have intellectual disabilities, some of our students have emotional or behavior disabilities," Conley adds.
So as these students scoop, spread and slowly stack chicken enchiladas, they're also learning teamwork, responsibility and respect and maybe more importantly they're getting a little respect.
"A lot of times we get stuck in the routine here that we can't because we're receiving services of some sort, that we can't be of help to someone else so they get really excited about the fact that they can help someone else," Conley says.
That makes this a win, win for everyone involved.
To learn more about the casserole program at St. Patrick Center check out the related link.
KSDK