Katie Cogar only appeared in a handful of games for the Franklin and Marshall women’s lacrosse team this year, but her impact is felt all over the Lancaster community.

During the fall semester, Katie took a course called “The Nature of Hope.” Students were presented with the opportunity to volunteer for the Lancaster Area Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (LAVORP) and the sophomore jumped at the chance.

After 40 hours of intensive group training, Katie became a mediator for LAVORP. She helped set up sit-down meetings between criminal offenders and their victims in order to discuss restitution and begin the healing process. While Katie describes the process as challenging, she has already found success with some of her cases.

Although she plays for one of the top Division III programs in the country, Katie has made the most of her opportunity to make a difference in her community.