Purpose
Service Commitment
The heart of Bellarmine's Christian Service Program is providing experiences for students where they are engaged in direct service with groups that are often marginalized in our society. A variety of service opportunities provide for both direct and miscellaneous service. Students must be attentive to the type of hours they are trying to fulfill. Service must be completed off campus in non-profit agencies by the end of Spring break of the senior year. These hours must be completed after school, evenings, weekends, or during school breaks, but not during actual class time. Daily, the CSP office provides transportation and supervision for students to engage in local service work. Graduation from Bellarmine is contingent on fulfilling all academic and Christian Service Program requirements. (Please see CSP Requirements by Year)
Love has hands to help others. It has feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of me. This is what love looks like.St. Augustine
Service Learning
Service-Learning is a methodology that connects active learning with planned service that meets a community need. Ideally, in service-learning, students become active practitioners of their own education. They take the knowledge imparted in the classroom and apply it to a concrete situation. Research has shown that there is a significant benefit to service-learning programs over volunteer programs. Curricular integration deeply enhances the success of the assignments as well as our goals for our "graduates at graduation." The following departments/courses have incorporated service learning in their curricula:
- Physical Education (Sophomores)
Special Olympics Coaching - Spanish III
Spanish Story Books for 3rd graders /
English Instruction to Spanish Speakers - Ceramics
Empty Bowls Project - American Government A.P.
Various Social Science Service Learning Group Projects - Religion (Social Justice)
Urban Plunge Day Retreat - Religion (Ethics & Service Learning)
Various Community Service Learning Projects - Environmental Science A.P.
Guadalupe Creek Bio-Analysis and other environmental projects - English (Creative Writing and Literature of War)
Writing projects based on visits with Seniors and Veterans
Reward
- Fun - at the beginning of each year I tell students they will have fun and each year very few believe me. However, at the end of the year most students have changed their opinion.
- Spiritual Growth - this is the primary reason Bellarmine has a Christian Service Program. The Christian call to help the "least of your sisters and brothers," is at the heart of our faith. By serving the poor or marginalized people around us, we come closer to knowing Jesus and discovering the true meaning of God's Kingdom.
- Personal Rewards - this is a feeling you will have to discover for yourself. However, many students have found that there are few things more rewarding than giving up your time and energy to work with others.
- Job Experience - Many students select service opportunities in the field they are interested in pursuing as a career. This experience is helpful in deciding if this is what you would like to spend the rest of your life doing. As well, volunteer work is an excellent addition to your job resume.
- College Entrance and Awards- most top colleges look for well-rounded students. Volunteer service work is an ideal addition to your college applications forms.
- Be a real man for others - yes, it is our motto, but this is an opportunity to take some words and turn them into a reality. By being involved, you really can make a difference in your community and in the world.
- Meet some interesting people - whether they are clients at the agency or others who have a commitment to helping others, this is a great chance to move beyond your comfort zone and meet some neat people.