A Full Circle Service Journey

Gabriella Herrera teaching a student at Cornelia Connelly Center

By Cora Davis, Communications Director

 “In the Catholic Church, when you’re confirmed as a teenager, you select a saint to look up to and often take their name as part of the ceremony. During my confirmation, at the age of 13, I chose Saint Julie Billiart, founder of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and even wrote a paper about her. I had no idea how meaningful that choice would become later in my life,” shared Gabriella Herrera, NDMV Alum 2020–2022.

Years later, Gabriella recently discovered just how connected that moment was to the path she would eventually take. After reading an NDMV newsletter explaining the relationship between Saint Julie Billiart, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, and the founding of Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, everything suddenly felt full circle. Long before she knew what NDMV was, Gabriella had already been drawn to the spirit of service and community that shaped Saint Julie’s mission.

That calling stayed with her throughout her life, eventually leading her to apply for a year of service during her senior year of college. She was placed at the Cornelia Connelly Center (CCC), an all-girls school in New York City.

Gabriella celebrating a student during CCC’s 8th grade graduation

CCC is a middle school with a thirteen-year program in which students enter in fourth grade and continue receiving academic support, mentorship, and guidance through high school and college. It is also the only full-scholarship independent Catholic girls’ school in New York City.

Growing up in Queens, New York, Gabriella attended a 6th–12th-grade school herself and understood the value of a consistent, supportive community. “It’s a gift to be in a space where you can watch students grow up,” she reflected. “They have a place to come back to over the years and feel at home. Not everyone has that experience.”

That sense of familiarity and belonging made her connection to the students even deeper. “I see myself, my community, my family in our students,” she said. Being able to offer students the same support and encouragement she once needed became one of the things that motivated her most.

Gabriella (right) teaching a group of students at CCC

When Gabriella first arrived at CCC, she was able to work directly with students under guidance and supervision, even without a teaching degree or certification. “NDMV allows you to do things you wouldn’t be able to do otherwise,” she said.

The mission of NDMV resonated deeply with her, which is why she applied for the “teaching fellow” position in the first place. In fact, Gabriella never liked referring to it as a “year of service.” “It felt more like a part of my calling and purpose in life,” she explained.

After serving with NDMV for two years, CCC hired Gabriella as a lead teacher for 7th and 8th grade humanities. She later taught 5th grade homeroom as well as 5th and 6th grade math. However, over time, she began wondering how she could continue supporting students while also exploring other gifts and strengths.

“How can I still be involved but use my gifts in a different way?” she remembers asking herself.

After sharing those thoughts with leadership, CCC created a new role for her: School Operations and Support Coordinator. The position allowed Gabriella to transition out of the classroom while remaining deeply invested in the lives of students and families.

Now, Gabriella is considering pursuing her MSW and continuing her work supporting young people in even broader ways. “I love teaching, but what I love even more is being in a space where I can support young girls and help them become their best selves,” she said.

Gabriella (left) greeting students at CCC

Today, Gabriella is still immersed in the same community that welcomed her as an NDMV volunteer years ago. “If I go outside, I’m going to see a student or one of their moms,” she shared. She values being surrounded by such a supportive and connected community and is grateful to still be a part of it.

“My experience serving with NDMV reaffirmed that I wanted to work in a community and be a part of spaces like what I’ve found serving and now working at the Cornelia Connelly Center,” she said.

Several staff members at CCC first arrived through NDMV as “teaching fellows”, a reminder of how service can be an entry point for a long-term career. For Gabriella, what began as choosing a confirmation saint at 13 years old eventually became a life rooted in the very mission Saint Julie Billiart began centuries ago.

As Gabriella puts it, “[NDMV] can be a door into your career—a door into your purpose.” Years after first learning about Saint Julie, Gabriella stepped through that door and found herself exactly where she was meant to be.