Community Service & Outreach

Revised July 2008

Online service form

Online service calendar

Service providers 2008

Service is at the heart of our mission The John Carroll School seeks to instill in students a mindset of service and highly encourages direct service to the poor, infirm, or homeless. We continually work “to develop in our students, the attitudes, values, knowledge, and skills to empower them to accept their obligations as human beings to contribute actively, intelligently and responsibly for a better world as they strive daily to ‘act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with God,” their ultimate end.“ (Philosophy, Paragraph 4)

God has a great love for the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized. This thread, woven throughout Scripture, is also emphasized in Catholic social teaching. Matthew’s Gospel reminds us that, “whatever you do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you do to me” (Mt. 25:40) and “whatever you have neglected to do to the least of my brothers and sisters, you have neglected to do to me.” (Mt. 25:45)

During their high school years most students will experience several different types of service. Students typically begin with the satisfaction of bringing real relief to immediate needs by “giving to” (e.g. collecting clothing and food items; raising money for a cause) and “doing for” (e.g. stacking shelves; stuffing envelopes; serving meals).

To do for the world more than the world does for you--that is success.

— Henry Ford

Direct, relational service

As students mature and come to a deeper awareness and appreciation of the existence of the poor, the oppressed, and the marginalized in our society, they often become more ready to seek opportunities for direct, relational service that involves “being with” and the forming of sustained, ongoing, face-to-face relationships. While there may be some element of “doing for” or empowering, this type of service also typically includes conversation and spending time in companionship. This type of service invites the student to a deeper level of commitment and engagement. It tends to break down the distinctions between “giver” and “receiver.” Direct, relational service activities push comfort zones and often put students in close contact with people whose worlds are very different from their own. This type of service can break down stereotypes and widen circles of compassion.

Graduation requirement

Each John Carroll student is required to give 60 hours of service before he/she graduates.

Procedures for fulfilling the service requirement

• Prior to the service being rendered, an Outreach Online Service Form must be completed and submitted through the service-dedicated website  http://sharepoint.jcteachers.org/zakreski/service.htm.  After submitting the form, a Service Confirmation Form will be sent to the student. Follow the instructions found on the Service Confirmation Form for obtaining signatures and writing/submitting your reflection.
• Save and print the Service Confirmation Form.
• Complete the service, obtain the signature of the supervising adult on the Service Confirmation Form, and write a reflection on the service experience.
• Submit the form within 30 days. Service hours earned over the summer must be submitted by September 15th.

Special consideration given to direct, relational service

Direct, relational service (as described above) places special demands on the student. While some may relish such opportunities, many students find that direct service is very challenging. In recognition of this more demanding level of engagement, students who give direct, relational service in accordance with the procedures outlined by the School will earn 2-for-1 credit for hours given. Example: a student giving 12 hours of approved direct service would be credited with 24 hours towards the 60 hours required for graduation.

To earn this special consideration, students must follow the procedures listed above AND:

• prior to the service, have the preliminary approval of the Service/Outreach Coordinator;
• upon completion, receive confirmation that the service given did meet the School’s standard for direct, relational service.

There will be no partial credit for direct, relational service. Hours that are denied for recognition at the 2-for-1 direct, relational service level will accumulate towards the regular 60-hour requirement. Students should note that the key factor in determining whether the service is direct is not the location where the service took place but the activity the student engaged in. To be considered as direct, relational service, there must be evidence that the student worked to develop a personal rapport with a person from a poor, oppressed, or marginalized population. Examples of places that may provide opportunities for students to earn direct, relational service hours include: Gallagher Services (working with disabled adults); the ARC; Camp St. Vincent for homeless children; room visits at nursing homes; tutoring Special Needs students at area public schools.

Conditions for service to qualify

• All service is given to others freely. Any activity that receives monetary compensation or has other strings attached will not be awarded hours.
• Students giving ongoing service must submit a service form monthly.
• Freshmen may begin accumulating service hours (following all the appropriate guidelines) after their Freshman Orientation meeting held in the spring prior to their freshman year.
• Service hours performed to fulfill John Carroll’s community service requirement must be performed for this purpose exclusively and not be used to fulfill another organization’s requirement.
• Parents may not sign as supervisors of the service of their own children.
• Forms must be submitted complete and in neat, legible condition – i.e. with the supervisor’s signature and section completed and the reflection neatly completed on the back.
• Forms submitted after the expiration of the 30 day period will not be credited with service hours.

We must work toward the day when citizen service is the common expectation and common experience of every American.

— President Bill Clinton

Required service timetable

Students are advised to seek opportunities to give service during all four years at John Carroll. To make the service requirement manageable, we recommend that 20 hours be completed by the end of sophomore year. There are two requirements relative to senior year:

• Forty (40) hours must be completed by the end of junior year. The senior year schedule will be withheld and the student will not be allowed to attend classes until 40 hours of documented and acceptable service have been completed.
• Sixty (60) hours must be completed for graduation.

The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it, and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

— President John F. Kennedy

Transfer students

1. Students who transfer in during their high school career with documented service hours from another school will have those hours posted on their John Carroll service record.
2. During the time they are enrolled at John Carroll, in order to graduate:

• Freshman and sophomore transfers must complete 60 hours of service.
• Junior transfers must complete 40 hours of service.
• Senior transfers must complete 20 hours of service.

Resources for service

Volunteer opportunities can be found in many places, including:

• the Outreach section of the John Carroll web site
• the notice board outside the Outreach office
• www.harfordcountymd.gov/volunteer
• www.volunteermatch.org
• through contact with your parish or church group.

A listing of organizations that have ongoing needs for volunteers can be viewed by clicking here.