SHU Volunteer Programs & Service Learning

Free faculty resources for civic engagement (in a time of social distancing)

As COVID-19 continues to spread in the U.S., higher education institutions are taking the necessary steps to keep their students, staff, and faculty safe. Our communities are being told to practice social distancing, which is the correct public health message, but one that also requires those working in community engagement to invent entirely new ways for people to stay connected to each other and civically engaged during this period.

After spending a few days getting feedback from our community partners, the Volunteer Programs & Service Learning Office staff has developed ways that our programs should adjust to the current pandemic. We knew it was important to do this in a way that keeps everyone safe and in a way that stays true to our mission to strengthen our commitment to our communities, so we posed the question, “How can people continue to be civically engaged while practicing social distancing?”

The VP&SL Office is committed to providing faculty with support to explore this question in your courses and will be sending out free resources (workshops, webinars, articles, and reflection activities) to continue to engage your students. Information about and links to upcoming sessions is provided below :

 

Where to Find Experiential Education Next (National Society for Experimental Education)

Friday, May 1^st @ 3 pm

In this session, attendees will discuss the silver linings of moving experiential education online, including the potentially unexpected places experiential education will become embedded in, including first-year experiences and introductory courses.

Building Student Dispositions for Community Engaged Learning (Campus Compact)

May 7, 2020 @3pm-4pm

This webinar introduces dispositions as a framework for students’ community-engaged learning. Dispositions are filters made up of values, beliefs, cultural backgrounds, and prior experiences that shape how we take in information and make sense of it. Too often, student orientation to community-engaged learning is a checklist of signing waiver forms, logging volunteer hours, and meeting minimum requirements. While logistics matter, the heart of preparation for engaging with community is bringing and developing a set of dispositions that foster positive cognitive and affective growth. While many dispositions can contribute to such growth, focusing on a small set of strategic dispositions provides a robust frame for making sense of community-engaged learning experiences. The webinar is structured around six dispositions: open-mindedness, humility, appreciation of community cultural wealth, intellectual curiosity, empathy, and commitment. These dispositions are particularly vital for community engaged learning designed to promote critical thinking and social justice.

National Campus Compact Conference (Campus Compact)

Select Sessions Virtual in May 11-13, 2020

The Compact20 Virtual Gathering will offer a compact, online-only conference over three days—providing free, accessible opportunities for learning, networking, and pursuing our ongoing commitments. Throughout, we will emphasize key questions facing us now, exploring topics such as online community-engaged learning, civic digital literacy, place-based justice, civic learning ecosystems, student voting participation, and more.

Tackling Health and Wellness Through Service-Learning (National Youth Leadership Council)

May 20, 2020 @ 1pm-2pm

This webinar will focus on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals number three: Good Health and Wellbeing. Explore the topics of health and wellness and discuss ways to investigate what is happening in your community. Learn how to strengthen group dynamics through team-building activities and discover resources to help take action on a genuine community need. 

"Tell Your Community Engagement Story"

  Where has the time gone? I think this is what every Senior is thinking, as COVID-19 cut our senior year 2 months short. To all the underclassman and all the future Pioneer’s get involved on campus because, sooner than you expect, you will be leaving SHU. Today, as I sit here typing this I still can’t believe that I am graduating in a month.

It feels like yesterday that I was just moving into Roncalli unpacking my stuff for the first time and embarking on my first week of service in the Greater Bridgeport Area. I participated in a Pre-Fall program called Community Connections before the first week of classes. This program is much more than a week doing service, it is a life-changing experience that allows you to begin to understand part of the Mission of Sacred Heart University. During this week, I met some lifelong friends while exploring who I was, as well as, various social justice issues. This week opened my eyes as to how privileged I was growing up and how some people are not as fortunate. Simple acts of service mean so much more than you would expect them too. After this experience, I knew that I would try to take every opportunity I could giving back to my community.

During my time here at SHU, I made many connections with several different community partners and organizations from volunteering at schools, working in soup kitchens, and helping in community closets. I am also a Founding Brother of Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Theta Theta Chapter here at SHU, which is a co-ed service fraternity. I have spent many breaks embarking on various service trips in the Greater Bridgeport Area as well as service trips to Virginia and Iowa with Habitat for Humanity. During these weeks, I allowed myself to be vulnerable, to learn from my peers, and to learn from the interactions I had with each person I encountered. Additionally, I tried to be as present as I could be in every situation, whether that be at a service site, in the car with my peers, or during reflections. These trips have given me a better understanding of social justice issues and a new lens to look through.

Through various service experiences with the community, I have learned so many things. The three that stand out the most are: (1) You must get comfortable with the uncomfortable. (2) Everyone you meet has a story to tell. (3) Sometimes service can be as simple as engaging in conversation.

These last several years I found a home within the Office of Mission and Catholic Identity and found myself through serving others. I am sad that I am going to have to say, “See you later” to this community that has given me so many memories and has shaped me over the last 4 years. I will never forget the lessons taught and the memories made while Serving with Heart. I will take all of this with me as I head down to University of Florida to pursue my Ph.D. degree.

I’ll leave you with this quote by Jim Truman, “We cannot change the world, but we can change our own little corner, and that is exactly where we need to start.”

 

- Emily Tobin '20.                                   

Reflection on VPSL Global Service Program

   
        This spring break, I had the privilege of traveling to Puerto Rico with nine other students and two faculty members. Our goal was to help families and communities recover from the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. We teamed up with Network Volunteers and SBP to rebuild homes. This trip, in particular, stuck out to me because of personal experience. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy hit my community hard. The hurricane causes significant damage to our infrastructure; there was no electricity for nearly a month, trees were uprooted from their homes, and large debris lay scattered across every yard and street. Many homes and vehicles were flooded and submerged under at least six feet of water or more. Schools and businesses closed and remained abandoned well into the new year and some forever. Alarmed families and residents bonded together as a cohesive community, assisting each other, both during the havoc of Hurricane Sandy and amid the lengthy recovery of the aftermath.
        I saw a lot of what my family went through in the community of Puerto Rico. Our community partner, SBP, said that all homes that are being rebuilt have water damage and roof issues to do the hard rain and rough winds. The community of San Juan grew their relationships with each other more than ever and came together. SBP taught me that we, as volunteers are not there to help them rebuild homes strictly but to ensure hope in the people of Puerto Rico. They stressed the word 'hope' many times because many people have lost sight of what that means. Our group was assigned to two homes, Ada and José. On the day of the hurricane, Ada's husband was released from the hospital after undergoing surgery. Due to the lack of medical attention after the storm, Ada's husband ended up passing away. José had lost his leg during the hurricane and has many medical conditions that are currently being treated. Due to a lack of electricity and resources during the storm, José did not receive immediate medical care. Both Ada and José showed us that even though when faced with a challenge to rise up and be strong.
        Each spring break, I learn something new about myself, and I take a step back and reevaluate my life. This service-learning trip taught me not to take anything for granted and to appreciate the little things that life has to offer. The community of San Juan taught me that because even though two years later, their houses are still being repaired, they had a smile on their face every day when we came. The two homeowners, Ada and Josè, were so appreciative and so grateful that we were there, but little did they know they were changing our lives in the process. I hope to bring what I learned in Puerto Rico and apply it to my community right here in Bridgeport.

- Nicole Magliulo '21

SHU VP&SL - Best of Fairfield Awards

It is our pleasure to inform you that Sacred Heart University Volunteer Programs & Service Learning has been selected for the 2020 Best of Fairfield Awards in the category of Colleges & Universities.

C.U.R.T.I.S Week Reflections

     Going into C.U.R.I.T.S Week I really did not know what to expect especially since this was my first time participating in this volunteer program. However, I have a passion for volunteering and helping our local Bridgeport community, so I had all positive thoughts coming into this program. Throughout the week, we traveled to multiple volunteer sites and visited other religions places of worship. One of the volunteer sites that had the biggest impact on me was the Thomas Merton Eat Smart Food Pantry. At this site I was originally in charge of giving out sugar packets to those coming in and eating breakfast. Eventually I moved downstairs to the pantry where people came to shop for their groceries. I was in charge of shopping with the individuals making sure they grab the right amount of items for the size of their family. While shopping with these individuals, they all were so grateful. They even shared experiences from their lives which I loved. The manager of the pantry, Daisy, and the other volunteers were also so helpful. They were even willing to teach me how to do what they were doing so I could participate with them. We also went to Life Bridge, which is an organization that accepts donated clothes and gives it to others in need. The amount of clothes that were donated to them was breath taking. News 12 also came to this site when we were there to film our experience and interview Chris, a student in my group from Sacred Heart University, which was pretty awesome. The owners of this organization were so thankful that we were there to help organize all of their clothes to get ready to put up on the floor. Myself and the rest of the volunteers made sure that there were no stains or rips on any of the clothing. Along with volunteering at these worksites we also visited a Buddhist temple, a Mosque, and a Synagogue. It was so nice to see how others practice their religion compared to how us Catholics practice our religion. My biggest take away from visiting these other places of worship was when I was in the Mosque. All of us girls had to wear a scarf over our heads so no one could see our hair and instead of pews to sit in at mass, we sat comfortably on a rug. After the service was over, they were so nice to grant us with a meal. At this meal, I sat with an older woman who was actively involved in what happens in the Mosque. As we were talking the woman said something to me that I don’t think I will ever forget. The woman said, “Don’t tell others about all of the good that you’re doing for others around us. Just do it and be done with it because eventually in the long run it’ll come back and give you good karma”. This woman was so inspirational and so real with everything that I truly aspire to have a mindset similar to hers. She also made wonderful cookies that she will soon be emailing me the recipe for! C.U.R.T.I.S Week has really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone in many different aspects which is what makes me stronger as a person and more exposed to what others are going through in the greater Bridgeport community. Along with coming out of my comfort zone, I met so many new friends that I felt like I’ve known for years even though I just recently met them through this program. I am forever grateful that Sacred Heart University had given me this opportunity to participate in a volunteer program like this.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         -Dayna Pendino

 

This Week combines Community Service in the Greater Bridgeport Community during the day and visit different Houses of Worship at night, including a Buddhist Temple, Synagogue, Mosque, and a Catholic Church. Each night students and staff members came together to reflect on the day and participate in activities that allowed us to break down the concepts of diversity and social justice. This week I was challenged to step out of my comfort zone and become more comfortable with the uncomfortable. Each one of us had a different experience but we did have one thing in common, we all grew as people, through service, conversations, reflections, etc. I know I will never be able to change the world but I can start in my little corner.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         - Emily Tobin

SHU ranked 13th for “Students Most Engaged in Community Service”

 

According to The Princeton Review, SHU is not only one of the best 385 colleges and universities in the nation for undergraduates to earn their degrees, it is also home to happy students who give back. Out of 20 schools from across the country, SHU ranked 10th for "Happiest Students", (up seven spots from last year) and 13th for "Students Most Engaged in Community Service" ( up six spots from last year). 

“It’s wonderful to have this affirmation that our students enjoy Sacred Heart,” said SHU President John J.Petillo. “They also understand the importance of volunteering and helping those in need. Many of our students spend their winter, spring and summer breaks on mission trips working with nonprofits to better the lives of families and children near and far. Social justice is a key piece of SHU's mission, and our strong tradition of community service is an expression of that. This recognition of our students is well deserved.”

Update on AMP & Fall festivities

 

The Academic Mentoring Program

            The Academic Mentoring Program has been active for the 2019-2020 school year for around two months now. Every week, Monday through Thursday, Sacred Heart University college students go into John Winthrop Elementary School in Bridgeport, CT to mentor middle school students after school. Student’s start off in the program as 6^th graders and stay in the program until they graduate in 8^th grade.

            This year, AMP started off strong as the mentors and mentees all adjusted quickly as we saw new mentors and mentees form a close bond, as well as returning mentors and mentees reunite. There are currently 35 mentees in the program, all ranging in different ages, and 26 mentors. Mentors include sophomores, juniors, seniors, and even two graduate students at Sacred Heart University.

            The first month of AMP, our goal was to get the program running smoothly for the year and make sure all mentors and mentees were forming good relationships. Now that we are in a solid routine, we have been incorporating new enrichment ideas into the program. This past week, mentees had the opportunity to paint their own pumpkins for Halloween that we provided them with. This coming Saturday, the 26^th, AMP is having our first field trip of the year to Silverman Farms. The program every week is also focusing on getting the 8^th grade high school applications completed since all are due in less than a month.

            The Academic Mentoring Program focuses on the academic success of all of the middle school students, making sure we are the appropriate resource and provide them with everything they need to be successful in school and in life. We are mentors with our main priority making sure that every child knows they have a strong support system, always there for them and cheering them on. The Academic Mentoring Program is looking forward to the rest of the school year and for more exciting things to come.

 

- Madison Zammarelli  (Academic Mentoring Program Coordinator)

 

Check out a recap of the Volunteer and Community Work Study Fair!!

Inside the week of Community Connections!

 

       My week of participation in the Community Connections pre-fall program was undoubtly one of the most impactful weeks of my life. Initially, I was extremely nervous to leave home a whole week early and leave behind my family and friends. I was worried I wouldn’t click with the other people at CC and spend the week alone and regretful because I could’ve been home instead. Upon arrival I was still anxious and sad to say goodbye to my family, but I knew there was no going back. The first few days were a little nerve wracking and overwhelming, as I was scared to put myself out there and talk to all these new people, but the facilitators helped make the entire experience welcoming and comfortable. As the days went on and I began to learn everyone’s names I started to feel the sense of community that the facilitators had constantly been talking about; these were my people. I began to bond with a new people everyday at worksites, meals, and especially at down time. Having the opportunity to travel to a different work site everyday was such an eye-opening experience that made me aware how different life is in every aspect for those in the community. I hadn’t realized just how much I took for granted until I saw what little resources people were surviving off just a few miles down the road. Aside from the service work, I loved reflection because it allowed me to get to know a smaller group of people more personally and understand how different everyone’s backgrounds were and how unique we all were in our own rights. Although I was a little sick of PB&J’s and sleeping on an air mattress by the end of the week, I didn’t want the program to end. I had grown so used to seeing all these amazing people every second of everyday and I loved every minute of the week. The friendships I formed with participants and facilitators alike are ones that will most certainly last and I cannot wait to see where the rest of my Freshman year and work with the VPSL office takes me. I’m forever thankful for that week, the people I spent it with, and the friendship’s I’ve made from it. CC will always have a special place in my heart

 

- Sara Carr'23

Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation: Hailey Tyler

The experiences, friends, and memories made from our week at the reservation with Simply Smiles cannot be summarized in a page, it would give the experience little justice. For this reason it is imperative that myself and my classmates continue to advocate for Simply Smiles, the journey did not end when we arrived home. I have learned more in a week, than in twenty years of school and life, about culture, human connection, and myself.

            For myself the trip began in Newark airport at six in the morning, when I began to make friends that I knew I would be contact with for the rest of my life. I had never met anyone, even the professors, prior to the trip. Working, volunteering, and laughing alongside these individuals created some of the deepest connections I have ever made. For this I am forever grateful, but I began to see the efforts of our work as I met those that lived on the reservation.

            During our first community dinner I noticed a man seated alone. As I joined him our relationship blossomed and I learned more about the Lakota culture. Everyday he would greet me with a good morning which would lead to him showing me pictures of his son, he is such a proud father. I was also delighted that he was comfortable sharing with me his own experiences with his spirituality. That during his meditation in a sweat lodge he received his spirituality stone. This stone is not a tangible object, but something that came to him in a vision given to him by his ancestors from generations back because they believed he was mature enough. The stone showed a white buffalo, a black horse, and a wolf. The buffalo representing the sacredness in women, the horse is a symbol that he will carry a pipe throughout his life (that he is a kind and sacred man), and the wolf is his spirit animal.

            On this night I also met a young girl, a soon to be graduate of Tiospaye Topa School. We would often talk about her personal life and hardships. We also joked a lot, because you can never take life too seriously. Having her come to Simply Smiles for dinner after her graduation made me think deeply about the impact of this organization. That this individual and hundreds more are beyond impacted by it. On the day of her biggest accomplishment she wanted to spend it with them and us.

            Speaking with Professor Reid and Kareem helped me to understand the sadness surrounding the loss of culture and the need to preserve. As well as Ron helping me to comprehend the intensities of alcohol and drug abuse, that leads to an ever increasing uphill battle for reservation life. Making it imperative that we continue our work by volunteering, donating, and spreading awareness. Sacred Heart is in the beginning steps of making a club for Simply Smiles, which I believe will help to accomplish all of these tasks. The club will also create a larger student body involved. With the increased number of students my hope is that with help from the school and professors we can volunteer at the reservation more than one week out of the year. In order to build stronger connections with the community and help Simply Smiles with their incredible mission.

 

- Hailey Tyler, SHU '21