Pitias Merach has discovered his passion for service at community meals every Tuesday at Catholic Charities downtown.
“We feed the homeless, we actually serve them,” says Pitias, 16. “Plus, a lot of the same people volunteer every week and they are awesome.”
Ever since his first visit last March, Pitias has returned weekly to connect with guests at the meals, many of whom do not have permanent housing. He learned about the service opportunity from his mentor, Eddie Grochowiak, who recommended service at Catholic Charities. Grochowiak had volunteered there while attending Archbishop Quigley Preparatory Seminary and later served on the Catholic Charities’ junior board. Now, Pitias has recruited several friends and classmates from Holy Trinity High School in West Town to join him.
“You get back as much as you give“
“My mentor said, ‘volunteers give half and take half,’ meaning that you get back as much as you give as a volunteer,” Pitias says. “I’ve given a lot of time, but it’s given so much to me — connecting me with God and learning how important service is. I see the little kids pray, and I talk with the homeless, they’ve inspired me, too.”
The other volunteers have welcomed and embraced Pitias as well as the many unhoused guests who visit weekly.
“I always see people giving each other hugs, I love that type of respect and community,” Pitias says. “They appreciate us, and we appreciate them at Catholic Charities.”
Gaining leadership skills through service
His mentor, Eddie, a realtor and sports agent, believes it’s important to energize teens in this type of service environment so they know how to treat people and serve others. The service connected Pitias to other opportunities, including a pilgrimage trip to Lourdes, France.
“Pitias automatically fell in love with the program and is passionate about it,” Eddie says. “He definitely has a philanthropic soul to him. He’s someone who quickly felt comfortable with the clients he was serving — it was a natural transition for him to serve people who are overlooked. He gravitates to support people who cannot support themselves.
“I’ve had people tell me he could be the mayor of Chicago one day.”
Pitias chuckles when told about Eddie’s comment, but says he is very outgoing and agrees that he has leadership traits. He recognizes he’s come a long way in just a few years at Holy Trinity. He admits he used to procrastinate with his schoolwork, and teachers would tell him he had unlocked potential. He says mentors like Eddie and his father pushed him to do better. He now has a 4.3 GPA and is taking Advanced Placement and dual-credit classes. He’s the vice president of student government, a member of the track team and Black Student Union, and a student ambassador who mentors prospective students and freshmen.
By volunteering, both giving and receiving
Born in Ethiopia in east Africa, Pitias and his family of seven moved to the United States when he was one year old. He says his family’s history helps him connect with people served at Catholic Charities’ community meals.
“We are incredibly proud of our son for dedicating his Tuesday evenings to serving meals to those in need. It’s inspiring to see him show such compassion and a desire to give back to our community,” says Zaide Gebrekidan, his mother. “Watching him grow into a young man who values service and kindness fills my heart with joy.”
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