SERVICE PROGRAM (page 28 and 29 of the SSA planner)

 

Rationale: "By faith in God and following 'the way' of Jesus toward God's reign, Christians have the mandate to be partners in God's intentions of shalom by living a faith that does justice for peace. Such justice demands unqualified commitment to the dignity and sacredness of every person; working for the common good; honesty in one's personal dealings with neighbors and groups; actively helping create social structures that distribute fairly society's resources and prompt the right and responsibilities of all; bringing to every level and arena of life a deep commitment to the full liberation of humankind and the integrity of God's creation, with special favor for those most in need." Thomas Groome, /Educating for Life/

 

By engaging in service and outreach activities, SSA students not only come to appreciate the multitude of blessings that they have been given, but come to recognize their gifts for creating in our world respectful, just structures, adequate resources, peaceful environments for all God's people.

 

The service model that SSA strongly recommends for completion of service hours is as follows:*

 

1. service to our school community

2. service to your parish community and/or service to non-profit organizations in the community-at-large

3. service directly offered to the poor and marginalized

 

Each student's service hours should include a portion of time spent on direct service to the economically disadvantaged. If the student's service hour plan does not fit into the categories listed below, she must have her plan pre-approved by the service, outreach, and justice office director.

 

Examples of service to our school community

a. Helping the tech department

b. Guides for Open House

c. Working in the book room with Mr. Harty organizing text books

d. Falya Fling

e. Helping with the alumnae activities

f. Helping with sports activities (collecting tickets, concession stands, helping with sports camps)

g. Parent club activities

h. Helping SSA teachers prepare classrooms

 

Examples of service to your parish/faith community or to the non-profit\organizations in the community-at-large

a. Vacation Bible School

b. Parish/church/art fairs

c. Wooden Boat Festival, Art in the Park, Chef Soiree, Monster Mash, Run for Life

d. Liturgical ministries: singing in the choir, altar server, reader

e. After-care programs for children (babysitting for parish activities)

f. Fund raising activities

g. Helping any teachers prepare classrooms

h. Races that are fund raisers for medical conditions

i. Preparation and/or delivery of Christmas Day dinners

j. Environmental Non-Profit projects

 

Examples of service directly offered to the poor and marginalized

a. Habitat for Humanity

b. Food Bank

c. Caritas (working with disadvantaged pre-schoolers)

d. Nursing homes

e. Horseback riding with handicapped children

f. Special Olympics

g. Mission Trips

h. Ozanam Inn (Soup Kitchen)

i. Camps for children with disabilities

j. Lazarus House

k. Head Start Programs

l. Safe Harbor/domestic violence facilities

m. Animal Shelters

n. Goodwill Stores

o. Hospitals

 

1. Attending retreats or conferences

2. Political campaigning

3. Service done for family members. This should be done naturally because you are member of the family. (Example: babysitting for family members.}

4. Working in "for profit" institution or agencies

5. Babysitting (under most circumstances)

6. Helping friends through rough times. (This is what friends do.) When considering service for an individual or agency not listed on defined in #1,2,3 or if in doubt, get pre-approval from the Coordinator of Service, Outreach, and Justice Office (SOJO) for authorization.

 

1. The service program year runs from May 1st until the end of the 3rd quarter of the school year. Half of the hours (10) and verification forms must be submitted the day before we begin Christmas break. The remaining forms are due at the end of third quarter exams.

2. Seniors must turn in their verification forms by the end of January.

3. Students who do not turn in their verification forms,properly filled out, and accompanied by the organization's letterhead for which they did the service will be required to get the appropriate paperwork and/or will be given mandatory service as designated by the school to fulfill their service requirements.

4. Verification forms can be downloaded and printed from Edline and website.

5. Service hours performed for school, clubs, or organizations as part of that organization's membership or duties will not be counted toward the 20 required service hours.

6. No hours may be carried over from year to year; the total 20 hour requirement must be completed each year. Students serving 50 hours and over will be recognized at the end of the year awards ceremony.

7. Any student, who completes a major service project, extensive mission trip, or an in-depth project of her own design, may be exempt from the 20 hour requirement. The service project and the mission trip must be pre-approved and must include substantial documentation. Seniors who have completed over 100 hours of service every year prior to their senior year will be exempt from the 20 required hours in their senior year.

8. Service opportunities and contact information will be posted on Edline and on the Service bulletin board in the library. It is the student's responsibility (unless otherwise stated) to make the contact and arrangements for service events.

9. Completed forms should be deposited in the box outside the SOJO director's office (upstairs in the administration building diagonal to Mrs. Depreo's office).

10. A record of completed forms will be recorded on Edline as they are turned in.