|
“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
REQUIREMENT: A total of forty service learning hours must be earned by each Chicago Public School student prior to being cleared to graduate. Sullivan students are expected to earn ten hours per year in order to maintain their service learning record. Seniors without their service learning hours completed by March of their senior year will be moved to a demote senior division and blocked from graduating. What is Service Learning? Service Learning refers to activities a person does in order to serve a community. Students are to work with non-profit agencies and volunteer their time towards helping people served by that agency. How do I get started? Every student should begin by brainstorming about social issues, such as animal welfare or immigrant rights, that interest him/her. Consider that this is work experience that you can use on future work and college applications; build a relationship with an organization that can then serve as a reference for you in the future. You have to do the hours anyway: why not make them work for you? Students should then see Ms. Hightower or Ms. Bock for a list of agencies, check the bulletin board outside of 132, or surf the Internet for opportunities. Call and visit the agency. Ask if the agency needs volunteers and be prepared to give them a general idea of times you would be available. Before you begin working, make sure to see Ms. Hightower or Ms. Bock in room 132 for site approval. Service Learning log sheets without a signature from Ms. Bock or Ms. Hightower will not be accepted. How do I make sure my hours are confirmed? You are responsible for logging your time there! Make sure to ask your supervisor to sign your service learning time sheet each time you work at the agency. What do I do when I am finished? You are encouraged to complete whatever project your agency is working on. After returning the completed forms to Ms. Hightower or Ms. Bock, your hours will be filed and recorded. Need Ideas? A list of agencies in need of help is provided below: Centro Romero 6216 N. Clark http://www.centroromero.org/Volunteer.asp Contact: Aaron With 773-508-5300 Activities: tutoring, recreational activities High Ridge YMCA 2424 W. Touhy http://www.highridgeymca.org/hrymca/hryVolunteer.html Contact: Jill Grimshaw 773-262-8300 Activities: Mentoring, front desk greeter, maintenance/landscaping, clerical work, activity assistance, etc. H.O.M.E Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly 5414B W. Roosevelt http://www.homeseniors.org/volunteer Contact: Eric 773-921-3200, x16 EricS@homeseniors.org Activities: Friendly visitors, warehouse organization, clerical work, help facilitate entertainment, group work -- seasonal cleaning, painting projects, etc. Howard Area Community Center 7648 N. Paulina Contact: Bonnie Wagner 773-262-6622, x243 Activities: Tutor, clerical support, group projects - food/school/clothing drives, etc. Rogers Park Community Center 1530 W. Morse Contact: LaNisa Frederick 773-338-7722, x24 Activities: Youth projects, helping opportunities for senior community, etc. Tree House Animal Foundation 1212 W. Carmen www.treehouseanimals.org/Tree%20House520Site-volunteer.htm Contact: Melanie Roeder 773-784-5488 x231 Activities: Giving special attention to resident cats.
|
