Welcome to Students for the Poor! We are a small but powerful group of individuals working to get students from campuses across the United States to journey to Haiti, Jamaica and Nicaragua, in order to serve those who are desperately in need.

Our trips are gritty, grimy, and wonderfully funky. Check out our stories and service trips to get an idea of what we do. So, get a group of your friends, peers, brothers, sisters, and join us as we change the world! It's important to note that, as you read our stories, you will see that a lot of the change happens within us as well as those we are serving. Read our mission and vision statement.

“The soul has no rainbow if the eye has no tears.”

Rich Bruno, Stephanie Crispinelli, Britney Gengel, Christine Gianacaci, Courtney Hayes, and Patrick Hartwick were close friends, dynamic servants, and energetic leaders of students and faculty. We will miss them as we continue the work they were so passionate about and we will look to them as examples for what we all should be: courageous, funny, and willing to serve. Instead of dwelling on our loss, we will use them as rainbows to guide our service and provide laughter in our own lives — just as they had done so many times before.

Zachary Walker, Village Chief, Students for the Poor

Lynn University, Journey of Hope — Haiti 2010

Stephanie’s Story

Sophomore, Human Services, Somers, New York
Stephanie Crispinelli: 1990-2010

“I went to Jamaica to help the poor — but they ended up helping me. I met people who I will never forget and whose words repeat in my mind. I have never experienced a trip such as this one. My outlook on life is completely different. No words or pictures could ever impact me in the same way as actually interacting with these people on a more personal level. The people I met had such high spirits and were so faithful, they inspired me to do everything I can to help improve their lives.”