MISSION BEYOND CAMPUS

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October 2, 2025

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Notre Dame Prep seniors live out mission and “ardent love of neighbor” in Detroit service project.

On Monday, Sept. 29, Notre Dame Prep seniors traded their textbooks and computers for work gloves and rakes, spending the day revitalizing Detroit’s east-side neighborhoods as part of Life Remodeled’s annual Six Day Project.

For the students, who were joined for the day by a number of teachers and staff, it was more than a day of service — it was a chance to live out this year’s Marist theme, “ardent love of neighbor,” and embody the school’s mission of forming Christian persons, upright citizens and academic scholars.

Serving Detroit’s neighborhoods

The Six Day Project, now in its 15th year, brings thousands of volunteers together to tackle blight across four square miles of Detroit neighborhoods. Volunteers mow lawns, trim overgrown brush and haul away trash and debris to restore beauty and safety to residential streets.

This year, Notre Dame Prep seniors joined the effort near Gratiot Avenue between 6 and 7 Mile roads. After a pancake breakfast on campus and a blessing from Fr. Juan Gonzalez, s.m., the students loaded buses bound for Detroit, ready to serve.

Armed with trimmers, lawnmowers and plenty of energy, the students rolled up their sleeves.

“We were working in the front yards, backyards, and alleyways of a neighborhood in Detroit,” said senior Elisa Kim. “We were clearing debris, overgrown weeds and plants, and cutting down trees to make the space usable for the residents.”

Classmate Caroline Powell described her group’s work as “cleaning up and removing bushes, picking up trash and clearing sidewalks.” She added, “We were able to see the good that we were doing, and how it benefited the community within these neighborhoods.”

For senior Auggy Villajuan, the cleanup was more than just physical labor. “I think it’s very important for us to do this so we can support and understand those less fortunate than us, and be a positive force in the fight for economic growth,” he said.

Living out the Marist Way

The day’s work also provided a clear connection to the schools Marist theme for this school year: ardent love of neighbor.

“This ties in with ardent love of neighbor by serving others beyond our circle, demonstrating reciprocal kindness and compassion,” said Kim. “We become upright citizens because we represent God’s message of caring for our neighbors with humility and service.”

Powell echoed that reflection, noting that serving in Detroit put the Marist theme into action. “This reflects the school’s Marist theme this year by putting our neighbors and surrounding communities first, since we were assisting their needs with our abilities just like we're called to do,” she said.

Senior Payton Schmit added, “Monday’s work connected with our Marist theme as we all came together to bring a positive impact to Detroit neighborhoods and communities. This also ties into our school mission because we, as good Christians, look out for one another, regardless of where we live.”

For Principal Kim Anderson, the project offered a living example of what it means to follow Christ in the Marist tradition.

“Our Marist theme for this school year, ardent love of neighbor, encourages us to have a passionate, intense and enthusiastic love for all people, not just those close to you or who are easy to love,” Anderson said. “To live the Marist Way means to follow Christ in the footsteps of Mary, focusing on service, simplicity, and a deep connection with God and others.”

She added that the Life Remodeled project reflects the values at the heart of Notre Dame Prep. “At NDP, we look out for each other and work together as a Marist community,” she said. “Together, we work with God to form Christian people, upright citizens and academic scholars.”

Building perspective, building community

For many seniors, the day was an eye-opening reminder of life beyond campus.

“I think it’s important to participate in such an activity because often we forget that everyone isn’t as lucky to live in the conditions and have the opportunities that are available to us within our Notre Dame community,” said Schmit. “In reminding ourselves of our blessings and recognizing the challenges of others, we gain a more well-rounded perspective on our lives and others’ lives.”

Senior Kevin Carter summed it up simply: “Life Remodeled was an excellent opportunity to give back to the community and to make change in our local area!”

For Villajuan, the teamwork stood out as much as the work itself. “It ties into the theme by all of our students being kind to all the people living there and especially each other, using teamwork to make a difference,” he said.

A longstanding partnership

Notre Dame Prep’s involvement with Life Remodeled builds on past years of participation. In 2022, the school sent seniors to Detroit’s Belmont neighborhood for the project. Then, as now, the work was both exhausting and rewarding.

That year, Anderson reflected on the experience as a powerful way to unite the senior class while serving others. “We had a wonderful day with beautiful weather, got a lot of work done and had some fun time bonding as a class,” she said.

Life Remodeled itself was founded in 2010 by a small group of radically passionate friends determined to revitalize Detroit neighborhoods. Their first project attracted 500 volunteers in its first year. Today, the nonprofit mobilizes more than 6,000 volunteers annually, focusing on “intentional and equitable revitalization” in neighborhoods of great need and great hope.

Living the mission beyond campus

For Notre Dame Prep’s Class of 2026, the Six Day Project wasn’t just another day of service hours. It was a lived expression of faith and compassion, rooted in the Marist call to love beyond comfort zones.

“We were assisting their needs with our abilities just like we are called to do,” said Powell.

Kim added that the experience challenged her to see God’s call in action. “We represent God’s message of caring for our neighbors with humility and service, extending grace and working toward the common good,” she said.

As photos from Monday’s work show students clearing brush, hauling debris and smiling alongside classmates, the message is clear: Notre Dame Prep seniors are answering the call of ardent love of neighbor — one block, one yard, one act of service at a time.

 

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.