School of Business aids local San Diego resident

Lauren Barulich / Staff Writer / The USD Vista

Local San Diego resident Rosalie Cardenas has been an avid salsa dancer for the past 20 years and has enjoyed the liberty of her independence, until she was recently afflicted with liver cancer. After successfully treating the cancer, Cardenas subsequently lost feeling in her lower body and was confined to a wheelchair. Despite these disheartening events, Cardenas has maintained her positive outlook on life, which is why the USD school of business chose her for their Thanksgiving House project.

Now in its 11th year of operation, the USD School of Business has offered this project annually as an opportunity for students to benefit from extensive hands-on experience while at the same time helping out a fellow community member in need. Under the guidance of Dr. Barbara Withers, undergraduate and graduate students can participate in a dynamic course that is only offered at two schools in the nation.

This year, that lucky individual is the charismatic Cardenas whose recent restriction to her wheelchair has made her daily chores even more difficult. Normal tasks that do not normally test one’s independence are now quite laborious for the salsa dancing enthusiast.

Mackenzie Trimble, a senior enrolled in the course, explained that their mission is “to improve the quality of life for our client by transforming her current living structure into an acceptable and comfortable home, encouraging community involvement through partnerships and enhancing our educational experience as team members within the project.”

In preparation for their project, they have established specific plans for areas they would like to improve in Cardenas’ home. Those plans included installing a roll-in shower, remodeling the entire kitchen and installing all new cabinets and appliances. Students will also repaint the exterior of the house, install a fence and smooth out the cement so that Cardenas will be able to move outside with relative ease.

Cardenas is not the only person who is benefiting from the project. Students enrolled in the course are learning from real-world experience, and they receive three units of credit for their work. “This class has been so beneficial and rewarding at the same time because we’re all learning so much and giving such a special gift to a deserving person” Erica Jannone, senior enrolled in the class said.

The Program Management course teaches students a variety of useful skills for real life situations. Students must construct reports that consists of information pertaining to the length of the project and how many volunteers will be needed. Furthermore, they are responsible for tracking the time and money spent in renovating the house.

Funding for the project is provided by several businesses around San Diego such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, who have donated the appliances for Cardenas’ house. The students have helped to raise money for the Thanksgiving Project by hosting different fundraisers and organizing raffles that have prizes which include restaurant gift certificates and VIP tables with a bottle service at popular clubs like Bar West and Stingaree.

In addition, students can also purchase glow-in-the-dark bracelets for $1 with the proceeds going directly to Cardenas’ house. In spite of our current economy, students can still donate their time. “Anyone can help. Just show up to the worksite ready and willing to work with a good attitude,” Trimble said. Volunteers can assist with jobs that range from landscaping to painting during the first two weekends in November. Rosalie is scheduled to move into her new home on Nov. 9. More information about volunteering and previous projects can be found at sandiego.edu/thanksgivinghouse.