On this warm spring day, a second-grade class bustles with activity: reading materials, math assignments, art projects on the colorful walls, wiggling in their tiny chairs, youthful chatter. Some of them glance over their shoulders at the young man sitting in the back of the room, a tall and friendly high school senior who models how to listen quietly.

Today, Owen Lynch, soon to be donning a cap and gown at St. Sebastian’s High School in Needham, is spending the last months of the school year in Miss Beth Sheehan’s classroom at St. John Paul II Catholic Academy (SJP), Lower Mills in Dorchester for his senior project on educational impact. An athletic young man with a passion for ice hockey, Owen balances his towering figure with a warm smile and encouraging words for the seven- and eight-year-olds.  

Owen connected with the Corey C. Griffin Foundation (CCGF) through a family friend and was immediately drawn to the Foundation’s hands-on approach with its program partners. He met with Foundation President Chandra Clark, volunteered to help with the 2024 Boston Marathon team, and started to think about an opportunity for his senior project. As a CCGF program partner, including the annual Field Day and Back-to-School Backpack Drive events, SJP was the perfect fit. 

Owen soon found himself in the classroom four days a week, helping wherever needed. “It was awesome,” Owen said. “Every day was different, every day was something new. Some days I worked with specific students or helped with certain subjects. But what I liked most was developing relationships with the students.” 

Over 400 of SJP’s 1,000 students are enrolled at the Lower Mills campus, from early education programs and pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The student population reflects many countries of origin and languages, including Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, and Haitian Creole. These cultural influences add value and strength to the school community. 

One of the common threads interwoven through the student body is the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels, all which is grounded in Catholic faith.  “At SJP, the intersection between our faith and our mission is our sweet spot,” Principal Lisa Warshafsky said. “That’s our foundation of Catholic Schools and Catholic Schools Educators, and that’s how we engage every day.” 

A lifelong Bostonian, Principal Warshafsky has been part of SJP since its inception in 2007, shifting from Director of Guidance to Principal of the Lower Mills campus. Her commitment extends beyond its classrooms and playing fields. On various city-wide, cross-sector committees, she passionately advocates for SJP students and their families to have access to transportation, housing, health care, and opportunities. 

Over the past seven years, the relationship between St. Sebastian’s and SJP has evolved to include a weekly after school tutoring program at Lower Mills, in-classroom engagement, senior class projects, field days, and campus tours of St. Sebastian’s. But this partnership is more expansive than simply providing academic support for SJP students; the bond runs deep and fosters structure, consistency, communication, and relationship building.

“With our Catholic connection, there is shared trust, values, and beliefs,” Principal Warshafsky said. “We have a shared vision, and we can trust these relationships between our administrative teams and our students.”

Owen is a part of that connection, one of the 5 to 10 seniors and more than 15 St. Sebastian’s students who engage with SJP students every year as a part of their Lower Mills Service Project. Initially mistaken for a college senior, Principal Warshafsky was impressed with Owen’s initiative, poise, and caring demeanor. She knew he would be a special mentor with SJP’s young students. 

In addition to many classroom memories, a highlight for Owen was the school’s STREAM Fair (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Arts, Math). Positioned in front of trifold boards and eager to share research and experiment findings, students in grades 3-8 presented a variety of creative topics including gummy bear osmosis, rain-in-a-jar experiment, and the impact of candy on tooth decay. Owen guided younger students around the Fair. “It was special to see their curiosity, to see their innocent joy, and for them to get a better sense of the other SJP grades. That was a special day.”

Since his project has ended and he prepares for a gap year, Owen has reflected on his time at SJP. “Mentoring and volunteering with kids, that opportunity is a blessing. Giving back to kids is about as important as it gets.”

CCGF is grateful for Owen and the other St. Sebastian’s seniors and students who have volunteered their time and energy with the SJP community. These lasting relationships are at the core of the Foundation’s mission to create lasting, positive change and impact in the community and for Corey’s Kids. 

For more information about volunteer opportunities, please contact Foundation President Chandra Clark, [email protected].