Sometimes the best way to strengthen a community is to roll up your sleeves, step outside your usual routine, and spend a day focused on hands‑on service.
That spirit guided the University of Miami Libraries Well-Being Collective during its Day of Service on May 7, 2026, at Lotus House, the nation’s largest women’s shelter and a leader in trauma‑informed services for women, youth, and children experiencing homelessness. This second annual Day of Service by the Libraries brought faculty, staff, and students together in support of the broader community, offering a meaningful opportunity to collaborate and contribute to a local organization making a profound impact.
Since 2006, Lotus House has sheltered more than 13,500 individuals and now serves more than 1,450 annually. The organization offers comprehensive support, including child and family therapy, medical and mental health care, educational assistance, employment training, and housing assistance, all designed to help residents heal, learn, and build stable futures.
Throughout the Day of Service, volunteers from the Libraries worked alongside the shelter’s operations and culinary teams to support essential tasks that keep the facility running smoothly. Participants helped clean and organize shared spaces, prepare ingredients for upcoming meals, assist with lunch service for residents and guests, and assemble gift bags. Their efforts ensured that daily responsibilities were completed efficiently, which allowed Lotus House staff to focus on other critical needs.
“Service days like this remind us that community care is a shared responsibility. When we come together with intention and compassion, we not only support others, we also strengthen our own sense of purpose and connection,” said Gisele Rocha, assistant director of the Libraries Creative department and organizer for the event.
One volunteer group assembled 250 gift bags for Mother’s Day, another group filled 250 bags with personal care items, while a third group worked in the kitchen serving lunch and preparing meals for the weekend’s celebrations. “Working as a team with Lotus House opened my eyes to how small acts of service can make a difference, and it was rewarding to support an organization doing such important work in South Florida,” said a volunteer in the post‑event survey.
The University Libraries remain committed to fostering a culture of service and community engagement. “This year’s Day of Service extends the spirit of our Mindfulness and Well-Being Programs beyond the Libraries, creating an opportunity for colleagues to connect with one another and our local community. I am grateful for our Libraries leadership, donor support, and employee engagement that continue to make this work possible,” said Kelly Miller, associate dean for Learning and Research Services and director of Mindfulness and Well-Being Programs at the Libraries.
“The University has made a commitment to look outward with intention. This activity helps support that pledge,” said Charles Eckman, dean of Libraries, in reference to the University's Canes culture. “It strengthens the community we are part of and shows how our internal efforts on well‑being can create meaningful impact beyond our campus.”
About Mindfulness and Well-Being Programs | The Well-Being Collective
The Well-Being Collective is a University Libraries employee resource group whose mission is to provide library employees with experiential opportunities to promote health and well-being. By practicing beneficial ways to cope with the stresses of work and life, this group also seeks to deepen connections between library employees and build community.
