At Catholic Charities West Virginia, we believe that service is not only a gift we give to others—it is a path to growth, purpose, and connection with Christ. For Andrew Tiu, a third-year pre-med student at West Virginia University, volunteering at our Grace Shelter in Morgantown has been exactly that.
Originally from Wheeling and a proud graduate of St. Michael Parish School and Central Catholic High School, Andrew is no stranger to the call to serve. “I’ve always heard of the importance of service as a way to grow in virtue and build your relationship with Christ,” Andrew shared. “This has really been the first time in my life I feel I have been able to live up to that calling.”
Andrew first felt this call more deeply during a shadowing experience with Project HOPE—a street medicine initiative that serves individuals experiencing homelessness and addiction in his hometown. That encounter opened his heart and eyes. “It’s easy to turn a blind eye to these issues when you’re seeing this population from a distance,” he said. “But hearing their stories gave me another perspective and a bit more urgency to do something about it.”
Now, Andrew brings that urgency to his work at Grace Shelter, where he supports clients in many ways—from helping with chores and daily tasks to offering guidance on resumes and job interviews. But for Andrew, the heart of it all is the relationships he builds.
“I genuinely look forward to coming in for a shift and chatting with the clients, seeing how life is going. I love celebrating their milestones—like getting a new job or moving into stable housing. It’s bittersweet when someone I’ve gotten to know well leaves the shelter, but it’s also so joyful to see them take that next step.”
Andrew’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of compassionate service—and how giving of ourselves is often the very thing that strengthens our purpose.
“As I work through my degree and the medical school application process, this experience reminds me of what I’m working toward. It’s been incredibly fulfilling for the soul.”
We’re so grateful for volunteers like Andrew, who remind us all what it means to walk with others in love, dignity, and hope.
To learn more about Catholic Charities West Virginia, contact us here.
