The Community Service and Social Justice Program is a hallmark of Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas. Currently in its 38th year, the Jesuit Dallas community service program has trained generations of men to work for social justice and serve as leaders in the community. The school supports more than 850 projects and events each year, including ongoing weekly service at over 80 agencies in the Dallas area and residential programs as far away as Lima, Peru. Each year, Jesuit Dallas’ 1,000 students devote more than 56,000 hours to serving those in need. During the course of his career at Jesuit Dallas, each student is encouraged to engage the world in a loving way and reform structures in a way that leads to justice. The senior curriculum ties community service to academic analysis of justice issues so students graduate with the ability to make life choices informed by the context of social justice.
Requirements:
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1. Students must minister to people in need (i.e., the poor, hungry, or homeless; the sick or injured; the handicapped; the elderly or infirm; the intellectually/academically challenged). Rare exceptions may be made for religious ministry that does not fall within the confines of ordinary worship and does not serve the Jesuit Dallas community, depending on the nature of the activity and role of the student. (For example, singing in the church choir is within the confines of ordinary worship and does not qualify for service credit.) Please request religious ministry exceptions from the Community Service and Social Justice Program directors prior to activity. Not all volunteer work, though worthwhile, is appropriate for Community Service Program credit.
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2. Students must work through a non-profit organization.
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3. All service work must be pre-approved by the Community Service and Social Justice Program Directors. Failure to do so may delay the verification and reporting process. Service Activity Request Forms are available on the community service page of the Jesuit website. -
4. Service must benefit those outside the Jesuit Dallas community, and students may not earn hours for service to their families.
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5. Yearly Hourly Credit Requirements: Freshmen - 10; Sophomores - 20; Juniors - 40; Seniors – 100. Under normal circumstances, one hour of service equals one credit.
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6. Service not completed during the academic year must be completed before the beginning of the following academic year.
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7. Any senior who does not satisfy the above requirements by the end of the regular senior year will not be allowed to participate in commencement exercises, nor will he receive the Jesuit College Preparatory School diploma until such requirements are satisfied.
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8. All service is documented on the Jesuit College Prep Service Work Transcript.
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9. No more than one-third of service credit may come from indirect service as defined below.
Direct versus Indirect Service:
Direct service is “hands-on” help--often through agencies--which supports individuals seeking to develop vital skills and independence, ultimately leading them to be productive members of their community. Improving the lives of individuals then contributes to social change. Examples of direct service are:
o School or Church Mission Trips or Outreach Programs
o Hospitals and Elderly/Assisted Care Residences
o Residential Summer Camps; Special Olympics
o Many Catholic Charities Programs
Indirect service, such as fundraising, supply and blood drives helps agencies achieve vital goals but does not involve “hands on” help of people in need.
Forming students to become Men for Others in the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola and Fr. Pedro Arrupe S.J.
Service Projects for the Year (click here)
