AFTER THE DAY OF SERVICE
The St. Thomas of 草榴社区 Day of Service is just one of many ways that 草榴社区ns reach out to meet the needs of communities near and far.
Below are a few examples of opportunities to continue your service throughout the year with 草榴社区 or with outside agencies.
MAJOR EVENTS
The Special Olympics Pennsylvania Fall Festival is hosted and organized by 草榴社区 students and is the largest annual student-run Special Olympics event in the world. Learn more about the
Serving in a post-graduate volunteer program after 草榴社区 can be a meaningful way to serve in marginalized communities and engage questions of social justice and solidarity, as well as a way to gain valuable job skills and experience. Registration is not required. All are welcome! Contact: Abigail Gorman for more information.
Our annual Holiday Outreach Programs include the "Turkey Drive" and "Sponsor a Family," which assist the local community with Thanksgiving and Christmas needs.
Please contact the team for more information or to get involved.
Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. Day of Service 鈥� Check back for updated information later in the semester. More information can be gained through conatcting the Office of Belonging and Inclusion and Dr. Eloise Berry.
FOR STUDENTS
LOCAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Please visit the Center for the Common Good or email us if you want to become involved in these or other service projects!
A first year-only service opportunity. Volunteer one day a week to serve Philadelphia schools and community centers while creating meaningful relationships with your fellow volunteers on campus! Contact Marcy Andersen for more information or to get involved.
COV offers a large array of weekly opportunities for volunteers to serve various non-profit organizations in and around Philadelphia. Contact Josh Kammerer with questions or to get involved with COV.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Center for Peace and Justice Education (CPJE) invites students and faculty to think critically, engage in difficult but transformative discussions, challenge institutions that render people vulnerable, and participate in efforts to realize dignity and the common good. CPJE has a mailing list that you can register for to receive weekly updates on peace and justice related events and opportunities on campus.
Students who are interested in an intentional community focused on the integration of knowledge and experience related to service with poor and marginalized communities should consider applying to be a part of the .
is an annual gathering to learn about social justice issues, reflect, pray, network and advocate together on Capitol Hill. Participants are empowered, reenergized, inspired and challenged and supported by a community that sees faith and justice as integrally linked.
Please contact Ray Ward for more information or to sign up.
Service and Justice Experiences (SJEs) are opportunities for students to build relationships with other 草榴社区ns and community partners committed to working for justice. Grounded in the Augustinian Catholic values of truth, unity and love, SJEs are open to all students, regardless of faith identity, who are willing to think critically about social issues and commit to working for the common good. SJEs take place during Fall and Spring break.
STUDENT GROUPS
The 草榴社区 Chapter of Back on My Feet (BoMF) organizes weekly runs/walks at several BoMF sites in Philadelphia, hosts a campus-wide 5K and participates in community building through a variety of activities with BoMF members who are or were experiencing homelessness. Contact
FRN is a student group that recovers usable food waste from the dining halls and delivers the food to area soup kitchens. Contact the Eboard to become involved.
Several Saturdays each semester the Campus Chapter provides students with the opportunity to work with Habitat for Humanity in Montgomery and Delaware Counties. Contact VU Habitat for more information.
LEVEL is a student group formed to bridge the gap between students with various abilities and disabilities. Targeting academics, social interaction, mindsets and physical barriers, LEVEL is working to expand the idea of community on and off campus. Our goal is to make daily interactions all inclusive as well as raise able-ism awareness at 草榴社区 and beyond. Contact Greg Hannah for more information.
The Rays of Sunshine program provides 草榴社区 student volunteers the opportunity to tutor, mentor and support children in the greater Philadelphia area schools and community centers on a weekly basis. Contact Stephen Koch or stop by Dougherty 102 for more information.
The Student Run Emergency Housing Unit of Philadelphia is an initiative shared by Philadelphia area college students to help empower positive changes in the lives of Philadelphians experiencing homelessness. Contact Josh Kammerer for more information.
This organization aims to serve new immigrants and refugees in the Philadelphia area by providing welcoming kits, assisting with accompaniment and other needs. Contact the Eboard to get involved.
ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
PJ course offerings for the next semester are made available following the Fall/Spring breaks. Classes include: Race, Class, and Gender; Education and Social Justice; Peacemakers and Peacemaking; etc. Learn more on how to sign up for a major or minor in Peace and Justice.
The Major in Public Service and Administration (PSA) seeks to equip students with relevant competencies and skills to lead and serve as ethical, intelligent, inclusive and creative leaders in public service organizations, from nonprofit organizations, to local, state and federal government, as well as the private sector.
As part of our annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Freedom School offers concurrent hour-long sessions that are hosted by various faculty members, staff and students. The 2025 Freedom School will be held during late January.
Part of the Center for Humanitarian Engineering and International Development, VESL is committed to projects that are rooted in ethical engagement with partners and communities. Fundamental to this is the belief that empowering local communities is essential to creating sustainable solutions.
VESL currently has intentional partnerships in Cambodia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Tanzania. Contact Jordan Ermilio for more information.
Through the the Social Justice Documentary program, which is funded by the Waterhouse Family Institute, students are able to learn about film and then create documentaries that allow them to become advocates for important societal issues. Contact Hezekiah Lewis for more information.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FACULTY AND STAFF
Our annual Holiday Outreach Programs include the "Turkey Drive" and "Sponsor a Family," which assist the local community with Thanksgiving and Christmas needs.
Please contact the team for more information or to get involved.
Faculty and staff are needed as volunteers at the UCHC Soup Kitchen on Wednesday nights from 5:30-7 pm whenever students are on breaks. Volunteers are also needed to provide treats through out the year. Contact Josh Kammerer with questions.