Dismas House
Every Monday evening, several Knights go to South Bend’s Dismas House, which is an organization that provides transitional accommodations and support services for ex-offenders recently released from jail. The goal of Dismas House is to reduce the cycle of crime by giving support to ex-offenders who are trying to readjust to society. At Dismas House, Knights help to prepare dinner and share it with the residents. Keenan has been in partnership with Dismas House for over 35 years and is frequently honored for service with the “Loving Spoon Award”, which Keenan most recently received in 2015.
Philanthropy
Several Keenan events raise money for various charitable causes. For example, the annual Muddy Sunday volleyball tournament is a fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity. Keenan also collects donations at other times throughout the year, including a large, year-end Food Drive for Catholic Charities of South Bend and their partner agencies.
Great Pumpkin
For more than 12 years Keenan Hall has hosted its signature community-outreach event, The Great Pumpkin. It’s an opportunity for underprivileged children in and around South Bend to come to campus and enjoy all the typical Halloween activities in a fun and safe environment. The dorm’s residents set up a haunted house in their basement and some pumpkin-carving stations. They escort the kids around campus to trick-or-treat at the other residence halls. The little kids seem to love it — and so do the big kids.