Post on 20-May-2020
Community Service Resource Manual
“Paws for a Cause”
2019 - 2020
-- Ben Franklin
You tell me and I forget. You teach me and I remember. You involve me and I learn.”
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TABLE of CONTENTS Community Service Program ............................................................................................................. 3 What and Why is Community Service ............................................................................................... 4 What is NOT Accepted........................................................................................................................ 5 Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Steps for Completing the Community Service Requirement .......................................................... 7 Reflection Project ............................................................................................................................... 8 How Do you Serve
Fairmont Group Service Projects ............................................................................................. 9 Individual Service .................................................................................................................... 10 Get involved! Fairmont Service Clubs ................................................................................... 12 Summer Service Opportunities .............................................................................................. 13 Fairmont Preparatory Academy Placement Areas ............................................................... 14 Ways to Help ............................................................................................................................ 16
Listings of possible Volunteer Organizations & Agencies
Children/Youth ......................................................................................................................... 18 Environment ............................................................................................................................. 19 Health/Medical ......................................................................................................................... 20 Hunger/Homelessness ........................................................................................................... 21 Libraries ................................................................................................................................... 22 Miscellaneous .......................................................................................................................... 24 Non-profit Agencies/Organizations ....................................................................................... 25 Senior Services ........................................................................................................................ 27
Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Volunteering .................................................................................. 28 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) ............................................................................................. 29 Community Service Quiz .................................................................................................................. 32 High School Community Service Form ........................................................................................... 33
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Community Service Program Overview
Purpose The purpose of this program is to help our students to become “exemplary citizens of a global society”. A strong service program will not only help us to create students of character – it will also help our students in the following ways:
Work Experience – Volunteer work is an excellent way for a young person to explore fields of interest, learn important workplace skills, and gain experience that will benefit them in college and beyond.
College Acceptance – Many colleges look at community service as one of their determining factors for acceptance. In fact, the UC system suggests that students complete community service during high school.
Promote School Community – Group service projects are great opportunities for students from different social groups to get to know one another outside of the classroom.
Program Components
1. Director of Community Service Mrs. Kunkle is the Director of Community Service. Her duties include:
To promote the community service program to students, faculty, and parents. To provide service opportunities to students. To collect, review, and track student service hours. To promote the service program to the non-profit community.
2. Service Requirement Each Direct Entry student to the Preparatory Academy is required to complete 20 hours of community service for each year of enrollment. Each International Foundation Year and Foundation Program student is to complete 10 hours for each year of enrollment in the International Foundation Center.
The culmination of each student's service years will be in the creation of a reflective project detailing the services rendered and the subsequent lessons learned from these experiences. See page 8 for details.
3. Student Outcomes: Students will be provided the opportunity to:
Bridge varied ethnic, socio-economic, and generational backgrounds Gain self-reliance, self-respect, and confidence while developing a positive self-esteem Learn values and more fundamentals to American democracy Experience connections between academic and real life situations Develop life skills that apply to personal life, professional life, and possible future careers Analyze their experiences via reflective writing and work collaboratively with members of the community.
3. Individual Service Opportunities In this manual, you will find many different organizations with contact information for which you can perform community service hours. In addition, we publish at least one service opportunity for students in the weekly e-newsletter. If you would like more personalized assistance, we are more than happy to work individually with families to find appropriate service opportunities for students based on their interests and abilities. Students are not limited to the hours published in this book – they may serve at any non-profit organization.
4. Group Service Opportunities Each month we offer an opportunity for Fairmont students to come together and serve their community as a group. Group service opportunities vary from month to month, and include:
Beach clean-ups Preparing or serving meals to less fortunate Cheering at walks and runs
Tutoring younger children Packing and sorting donations And much, much more
5. Service Clubs We have many service clubs in existence. Please see Page 9 for further information or visit Mrs. Kunkle in room 28.
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What is Community Service?
The Fairmont Preparatory Academy (FPA) Community Service Program helps guide students to develop, plan, carry
out, and evaluate projects that improve the quality of life in their communities. Community Service helps young people
build skills for family, career, and community roles and encourages young people to develop the positive character traits
of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
Examples of community service projects include (but are not limited to):
Cleaning a park through Adopt-a-Park
Participating in on-campus drives by donating much needed items including clothes,
hygiene products (toothpaste, tooth brush, soap, etc…), food, blankets, etc.
Getting involved with Action Partnership or Boys & Girls Club
Reading to the elderly in nursing homes
Volunteering at hospitals (must be 16+ years of age)
Helping out at a local public library
Tutoring developmentally disabled children for free.
Community service that engages youth is often called youth service. It is a methodology that is
simultaneously employed to strengthen young peoples' senses of civic engagement and nationalism, as well as assist
them in meeting educational, developmental, and social goals. Young people throughout the country are receiving
outstanding community service awards from the United States for their accomplishments. For more information on
awards visit the Presidential Service Award website.
Why is Community Service important for my student?
In cases of community service among youth, it is often a requirement for a student to advance to the next grade level or
graduate from high school to perform a certain number of hours of service. This is the case for Fairmont’s Preparatory
Academy.
Community Service is used by college-bound high school seniors as a way of attracting colleges to accept them. There
is no general amount of hours colleges are looking for when it comes to community service. However, they do look for
them. Some colleges also require their own students to volunteer a specific number of hours to graduate and get a
degree.
Not only is community service beneficial for the community, but it benefits the student as well. Service learning is the
deliberate connection of community service to stated learning goals. A common misconception among educators, youth
workers, and young people is the notion that service learning can be assigned. Several experts attest to the necessity of
engaging youth in deliberating, planning, implementing, and reflecting on their community service, thereby sustaining
high quality service learning. This is intended to make community service an effective learning tool.
To help other people
To feel good about oneself
To keep active in my spare time
To gain work experience
To do something fun with friends
To enhance my college applications and resume
To have variety in my life
To meet interesting people
To make a difference in my community and the
world
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What is not Accepted for Community Service Hours:
Examples of community service hours that will not be accepted include (but are not limited to):
Babysitting family members or friends
Teach/babysitting at church
Tutoring (some forms of tutoring are accepted; see Mrs. Kunkle for pre-approval)
Fairmont service – working/volunteer at any Fairmont campus
Helping a teacher or organization on campus set up an event/activity
Serving as a teacher’s assistant (TA) at school or church
Online class from any non-profit (501c3)
Missing school to complete hours (example: working at a polling place, working school blood drives,
etc…)
Any activity in which the student receives payment
See the FAQ section at the back of this manual for detailed information or contact Mrs. Kunkle at
akunkle@fairmontschools.com or visit her in room 28
What is Accepted for Community Service Hours:
Examples of community service hours that will be accepted include (but are not limited to):
Pre-approved hours by the Community Service Coordinator (hours may be pre-approved by email or
in person).
Fairmont Prep Academy service clubs (with approval from the Director of Community Service)
Pages 18 – 27 of this manual
www.volunteermatch.org (please print opportunity from site as proof)
www.oneoc.org (please print opportunity from site as proof)
www.anaheimvolunteer.com (please print opportunity from site as proof)
It is recommended that service projects/hours be pre-approved by the Director of Community Service before
the service begins. Simply pick up a high school community service form, describe in detail on the form what
the project is, and then get the pre-approval signature. Students who do not get pre-approval for service
projects/hours take the risk of their hours not begin accepted.
The main purpose of Fairmont’s community service requirement is to help our students to become exemplary
citizens of a global society.
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The Requirement
The Community Service graduation requirement consists of the following:
1) 20 hours of service per year of attendance at Fairmont Preparatory Academy. This comes to a total of 80 hours for high school. If a student transfers to the Prep, they are responsible only for the hours corresponding to their grades of attendance. Likewise, current Prep students (19-20) are responsible for completing the following hours for graduation/promotion These hours can be completed in a number of ways. Students have the option of completing all required hours in one summer, spreading it out over their years at Fairmont (20 hours per year), or any combination they choose. The hours can be earned through participation in Fairmont-sponsored group service projects or by doing individual service projects. One-half of the requirement must be completed within the United States. This resource manual is full of resources for pursuing individual service opportunities.
2) Students must submit a reflection project upon completion of their hours. 12th grade students must submit their completed Community Service hours prior to Spring Break, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, for documentation. The reflection project must be submitted to the Director of Community Service by Tuesday, April 21, 2020. This component provides a means for the students to look back at their experiences and contemplate thoughts and feelings as it relates to helping others. See the reflection project guidelines on page 8 of this resource manual. Implemented June 20, 2016 – For 12th grade students only: All but 20 hours of the community service requirement must be completed by Tuesday, January 14, 2020. This was created so seniors don’t struggling second semester to fulfill this portion of the graduation requirement. The remaining 20 hours are due by Tuesday, April 7, 2020 and the reflection project is due after Spring Break on Tuesday, April 21, 2020.
Current Grade level # of required hours
Senior 80 hours
Junior 60 hours
Sophomore 40 hours
Freshman 20 hours
International Foundation Year & Foundation Program 10 hours
“If you want happiness for an hour – take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day – go fishing.
If you want happiness for a month – get married.
If you want happiness for a year – inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”
-Chinese Proverb
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Steps for Completing the Community Service Requirement The following procedures are to be followed by the student in order to successfully fulfill the community service requirement:
1). Community Service Resource Manual: All information outlining the Community Service program and requirements are
available on the Fairmont website at www.fairmontprepacademy.com, listed under the Campus Life tab. Via the resource
manual students may look up information on how to locate acceptable agencies from which students may choose and all
documentation procedures. This information is shared with parents/guardians/homestays and printed copies are available on
request.
2). Selecting an Agency/Organization: Community service is work performed with a non-profit organization for which you
receive no pay. Organizations should be selected from materials printed by the school or via the Community Service bulletin
board located outside room 29, the school website – www.fairmontprepacademy.com under the Campus Life tab, or by
email/visit Mrs. Kunkle, Director of Community Service – akunkle@fairmontschools.com. Community service performed for
family members, for-profit businesses, or private individuals will not count toward the community service requirement. When
a student is unsure of a community service opportunity, he/she should check with the Director of Community Service prior to
the beginning of the project.
3). Contacting the Agency/Organization: Students are responsible for contacting the agency to determine days and times to
perform the service. See the “Individual Service” section on page 10 or visit Mrs. Kunkle for further assistance.
4). Community Service Verification Form: Students are responsible to complete the top half of the form Community Service
Verification form. At the end of the service activity, the bottom half of the form is to be filled out and signed by the
individual/volunteer manager who supervised the student. Students choosing to serve their hours for the same organization
over a long period of time should use only one form. Community Service forms need to be turned in within a month of
completing the service. The white copy is for the Director of Community Service and once verified and accepted the yellow
copy will be given to the student for his/her records.
5). Miscellaneous:
Students may use as many forms as necessary to complete the required hours of community service.
The service may be performed anytime during the year, outside the regular school hours, including summer, winter,
and spring vacations.
One-half of the requirement must be completed within the United States.
Any student who has a personal problem relative to this requirement should contact the Director of Community
Service.
Requests for an itemized list of completed hours may be made with the Director of Community Service via email at
akunkle@fairmontschools.com or students may view their community service projects and total number of hours in
the “Official Notes” section of Blackbaud.
6). Awards: Student that go above and beyond the minimum 80 hour requirement are eligible for awards. For eligibility
requirements please contact the Director of Community Service - akunkle@fairmontschools.com.
Presidential Service Award: Domestic students completing 100+ hours or more within one year are eligible for this award.
Congressional Award: Domestic students looking for an opportunity to earn a challenging certificate and medal.
End of Year Award: One senior who has completed 150+ hours within their high school years at the Prep.
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Community Service Reflection Project Overview of Reflection Options
In order to help students capitalize on their work and assist them in analyzing and synthesizing their service experience, students are required to complete a Reflection Project. This project can take one of two forms: (1) a written Reflection Paper, or (2) a Portfolio Project.
1. 500-750 word essay in MLA format
2. 3-5 minute video documentary
3. 15-25 slide PowerPoint Presentation
4. 15-25 page Scrapbook
5. Other (anything other than above must be pre-approved by CS Coordinator)
Choose and complete either the Reflection Paper or Portfolio as described below:
This project allows you an opportunity to reflect on your community service work. You are encouraged to write about your personal reaction to your overall experience, but should concentrate on the service experience. When completing your project, you should address the following questions:
How did the experience(s) affect you?
Did you learn anything about yourself?
Did you learn something about others in your community?
Did you learn something about an issue or agency that is particularly interesting or new to you?
Was your experience everything you expected? If not, why?
What were the negative and positive aspects of your volunteer experience?
What types of benefits (academic, personal, professional) did you gain?
Do you feel you had an affect on a person, group of people, or problem in our community? How and why?
Is there anything you would change about your service work experience?
What impact will this experience have on your future, including career choices?
**Where appropriate, students are also encouraged to note references. You may cite any of the following that are
relevant to your service work and your project: Agency brochures or material; newspapers or magazines articles; other published material such as videos. You may also use quotes from agency supervisors or people you served through your volunteer work. Please indicate references with appropriate citations.
If you have any questions please discuss them with the community service coordinator in advance.
Start by doing what's necessary, then do what's possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
- Saint Francis of Assisi
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How do I serve??? What do I do? Where do I go?
Group Service Projects
1) Every month Fairmont offers at least one group service project. These projects include sorting and packing food, sorting clothing and toys, cheering walkers/runners at non-profit 5k runs, beautifying local parks and beaches, caring for the sick and elderly, and serving food to the homeless at local shelters. Hours for participation in these projects are automatically added to the student’s file as long as the student turns in a permission slip and shows up to the project. Monthly group service project information is provided in the weekly e-newsletter, the Fairmont Prep Community Service Facebook page, is emailed to students via their Fairmont email account, and is also promoted on campus with flyers and morning announcements
To participate in the group service projects, students need to:
Read the weekly e-newsletter, listen to the morning announcements, and/or visit Mrs. Kunkle’s office to find out what project(s) are being offered each month.
At the beginning of each semester, students are given the semesters list of projects in their homeroom class.
Choose a service project of interest.
Pick up the permission slip for the corresponding project (sometimes there are more than one a month) from the Director of Community Service office, room 28.
After the permission slip has been signed by the parent/guardian/host, return it to the Director of Community Service by the deadline. (Note: Without a signed permission slip, students will NOT be able to attend the service project.)
An confirmation email will be sent to those students who have turned in a permission slip the Thursday before the service project.
Show-up the day and time of the service project, serve the community, and HAVE FUN!!!!! (Note: Students must arrive on time and stay for the entire project to receive full credit).
Parents/guardians/hosta must drop off and pick up their student on time.
Students may not leave with another student unless the parents/guardians/host have provided a written note.
If students have turned in a permission slip and attended the project, hours will automatically be input and added to your file.
“I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
- Stephen Grellet
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Individual Service To volunteer individually, students need to:
Use this resource manual, talk with the Director Community Service, or perform individual research in order to find a project.
o Assess your interests and time by asking the following questions: What are some things I enjoy doing? What would I like to learn to do better? What is an activity I have never done but I have always wanted to do? Where do I like to be: Indoors? Outdoors? Close to home? Far away? Do I prefer to be: With people? On my own? What kind of people do I like to be with: Old? Youth? Like me? Different from me? Am I more comfortable with: Groups? Individuals? How will I get to a volunteer opportunity: Car? Bike? Bus? Get a ride? When am I available to volunteer: After school? Evenings? Weekends? Do I want an on-going or a one-time volunteer opportunity? What do I want to gain from volunteering? What are three problems, in my community or elsewhere, that need solutions?
Research the different types of issues and agencies/organizations in your community: o Look at the Community Service bulletin located across from room 29, the school website –
www.fairmontprepacademy.com under Campus Life - Community Service, Facebook (Fairmont Prep Community Service), or visit the Director of Community Service in room 28 for the following service areas:
Children/Youth Disabled Environmental Health/Medical Hunger/Homelessness Seniors Miscellaneous/Special Interest
Contact the agency of interest and find out about current service opportunities and requirements for volunteering (i.e. Saturdays only; must be 16 to volunteer; parent permission required, minimum 12-month commitment, etc.).
o Ask for the volunteer coordinator/manager. Express your interest in volunteering and ask for more information regarding the opportunity. Some agencies/organization will have an application to be completed.
o It is helpful to schedule an appointment and visit the agency/organization to get a feel for the place and the people. It is important that you arrive on time for the appointment. If you are unable to keep the appointment or are running late make sure to contact the agency/organization and let them know.
When visiting the agency/organization make sure to ask the following questions:
What does your agency do?
What kind of services do you provide and how do you provide them?
What sort of things do you want volunteers to do?
What kinds of task will I be doing?
Are there job descriptions for the opportunity?
What type of initial and ongoing training is provided?
When (days, hours) do you need volunteers?
Do you require volunteers to commit for a certain length of time (once, 3 months, 1 year, etc…)
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Make your decision. If you are unsure about volunteering there, tell them you would like to think about it and get back to them. Be sure to let them know either way (yes or no) as soon as you have made your decision.
o If you know that you do not want to volunteer with the agency/organization, it is alright to be honest and say so. Example: (“Thank you very much for talking with me, but this is not quite the kind of volunteer opportunity I had in mind.”)
o It is important to give yourself time to explore a variety of opportunities with different agencies/organizations. While one particular opportunity may not be ideal for you, dozens of others may better meet your needs and expectations.
If unsure about whether the service project will be approved for service hours, it is highly recommended that students get approval before volunteering. By getting a pre-approval signature on the community service verification form, the hours for the service project are guaranteed. For approval please see the Director of Community Service or send an email to akunkle@fairmontschools.com. Make sure you have completed the top half of the verification form and know what tasks you will be completing.
Students/parents/guardians should take the community service verification form with them to the service placement. The contact person or supervisor for that day must completely fill out the rest of the community service form. Except for the “Community Service FPA Administrative Use”. This is for the Director of Community Service’s use.
Once the hours are completed, the community service verification form must be turned in for logging and tracking purposes. You are welcome to turn in the form to the front desk; however, it is recommended to physically place the form in the Director of Community Service’s possession.
Once the project is completed and the hours are turned in, they will be logged and kept in your file. You may view logged hours in MyBackPack, by clicking on the students photo.
Students/parents are free to verify the logging of the hours by either emailing the Director Community Service at akunkle@fairmontschools.com or looking at the students “Official Notes” section of Blackbaud to see specific hours.
“I am only one, but still I am one; I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something I can do.”
- Edward Hale Keller)
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Get involved! Fairmont Service Clubs
Getting involved in a service club on campus is an excellent way to gain community service hours while making new friends and developing valuable leadership skills. Joining a club is easy and there are several ways to do it. You can:
Go to the Club Rush at the beginning of each semester. You can learn more about service clubs, ask questions, and sign up for clubs of interest to you.
Email Mrs. Joslyn Awa, Director of Student Services, at Jawa@fairmontschools.com for a list of clubs. Most listings include contact information for the advisor and president as well as regular meeting times.
Stop by Mrs. Awa’s office anytime and ask about clubs. She can put you in touch with the president or take your contact information and have him/her contact you.
Create your own service club! See Mrs. Awa to get started making your idea a reality at the Prep in the coming semester.
Some service clubs are free and some have membership dues. Some meet weekly and others only for special events. A few (such as the National Honors Society) are by invitation only. Contact Mrs. Awa anytime if you want to learn more about service or any other clubs or if you want to start one of your own.
High School Service Clubs:
Here are a few service clubs: Food Served Here – Purpose: To feed the homeless youth of Anaheim and to help make their lives better. Key Club - Purpose: A means of providing community service opportunities in order to build character and develop leadership, we hereby establish the Fairmont Preparatory Academy Key Club. Red Cross Club - Purpose: The Red Cross Club aims to make the world a better place. The objective is to raise awareness of human health as well as raise money to help the needy who need physical aid. UNICEF –
Purpose: To work with others to overcome the obstacles that poverty, violence, disease and discrimination place in a child’s path. We believe that we can, together, advance the cause of humanity. .
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Summer Service Opportunities:
The summer is a GREAT time to earn service hours and engage more deeply in a field of interest.
Domestic Volunteer Programs:
Civic Leadership Institute Website: http://www.ctd.northwestern.edu/cep/ Phone: 847-467-2572
The Civic Leadership Institute offers service-learning courses for high-achieving students entering grades 7-12. Courses
are three weeks in length and they combine a rigorous academic program with community service and an opportunity to
explore a new city. Students will be introduced to social and political issues affecting our society today such as urban
poverty, health care and homelessness. Programs are affiliated with the Center for Talented Youth (CTY) in San
Francisco and Baltimore and the Center for Talent Development (CTD) in Chicago. Prices range from $2,500-$3,500.
Student Conservation Association Website: http://www.thesca.org/ Phone: 603-543-1700
SCA conservation crews are open to students age 15-19. As an SCA crew member, you will build hiking trails, protect
threatened habitats, sleep under the stars and connect to the land in ways you never thought possible. The work you do
will endure, making an important difference in our national parks. There’s work to be done in all 50 states—in forests,
on beaches, at fisheries and volcanoes. There is no trip fee, but you are responsible for your own travel expenses and
supplies. Projects are generally a month in length. Applications are due March 15, so visit the web-site and apply as
soon as possible if you are interested!
International Volunteer Programs:
Rustic Pathways
http://www.rusticpathways.com/ Phone: 800-321-4353
Rustic Pathways offers travel programs for high school students, families, groups and college
students. Summer programs are available for students from 12 years of age. Rustic Pathways
also offers scheduled family adventures and customized family trips, as well as organized overseas
programs for school, universities, groups, and clubs of all kinds. The company runs programs year round to Australia,
New Zealand, The Fiji Islands, Tanzania, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Vietnam, China, India, Peru, Costa Rica,
Panama, Nicaragua, Mongolia, Transylvania Mongolia and the United States. Rustic Pathways summer programs are
suitable for most students. Trips cost $2500-$5000.
Putney Student Services
Website: http://www.goputney.com/ Phone 802-387-5000
Putney Student Services offer 4-week programs where participants immerse themselves in programs in developing
countries and disadvantaged communities working to improve schools or hospitals, construct or repair housing, run
enrichment programs for children, and much more. Working alongside people from the host country, students build
friendships and learn new skills. Locations include Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Grenad, Vietnam,
Brazil, Alaska, Hawaii, and India and trips cost $5000-$7000.
Volunteer for Peace
http://www.vfp.org Phone: 802-259-2759
Volunteer for Peace (VFP) is a non-profit organization that places volunteers in “work camps” throughout
the world. In these camps, students will work to restore the environment, teach English or build houses.
The age requirement for most of the programs is 14–18 with a program cost of $500 plus travel expenses
and equipment.
I did not find the world desolate when I entered it. My fathers planted for me before I
arrived, so I plant for those who come after me. - Talmud
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Fairmont Preparatory Academy Service Program Placement Areas
Below are the ten (10) Placement Areas in which students may volunteer to get their service hours at Fairmont Preparatory Academy. Listed under each general placement area are specific agencies acceptable for that type of service. Students volunteering at an organization/agency in any of these areas should feel secure that the hours will be acceptable. Should the student, for any reason, be in doubt, he/she should see the Community Service Coordinator for clarification.
Animal Care Placements
Animal Adoption Agencies
Animal Shelters
Animal Therapy
Civic/Cultural Placements
Campaign Staffing
Community-Based Functions
Non-Profit Theater Performances
Disability Placements
Facilities for the Blind
Facilities for the Deaf
Homes, Centers, and Schools for the Disabled
Special Olympics
Educational Placements
Learning Centers
Libraries
Library Reading Programs
Tutoring Programs
Environmental Placements
Beach Clean-ups with non-profit organization
Community Beautification/Restoration Programs
Graffiti Removal with city program
Recycling Programs
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Fundraising Placements
Jog-a-thons (i.e. OC Marathon)
Walk-a-thons (i.e. CHOC Walk, AIDS Walk)
Medical Placements
Health Centers
Hospitals
Medical Centers
Rehabilitation Centers
Ronald McDonald Houses
Poverty Placements
Clothing/Food Drive Distribution with non-profit organization
Habitat for Humanity
Homeless Shelters
Soup Kitchens
Senior Services
Nursing Homes
Retirement Homes
Senior Centers
Youth Placements
Boys and Girls Clubs
Boy Scouts of America
City/Park Recreation Programs
Coaching Youth Sports Teams
Girl Scouts of America
Orphanages
YMCA Programs
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can seriously help another without helping himself."
~Charles Dudley Warner
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WAYS to HELP
Getting involved in your community starts with the "little" things. Review this list of 36 ways to help and make efforts
to accomplish a few each week. A little “you” goes a long way.
1. Offer to take an elderly neighbor to a medical
appointment
2. Recycle
3. Start a community garden
4. Become CPR certified
5. Play kickball with neighborhood kids
6. Join a Service Club
7. Adopt a pet
8. Visit sick kids at a hospital
9. Donate good-condition toys, clothing and household
goods
10. Write messages to soldiers overseas
11. Donate goods to support the troops
12. Donate blood
13. Turn everyday moments with a child into teachable
moments
14. Support businesses that care about the community
15. Write thank you notes to those that help the
community and hand deliver them
16. Ask a senior citizen to tell you about their
childhood
17. Visit a nursing home and talk to someone with no
visitors
18. Tape a children’s book and deliver it to a sick child
19. Donate gently used books to a daycare center
20. Agree to be an organ donor on your driver’s license
21. Plant a tree
22. Plant extra rows of vegetables in your garden and
share them with friends
23. Donate new shoes and socks to shelters
24. Donate an instrument to a school music program
25. Organize a fund raising event such as a drink stand,
car wash, or yard sale and donate the proceeds to a
charity.
26. Leave your newspaper behind in a public place for
the next person to read
27. Leave a nice note about your waiter on the back of
the bill
28. Get to school/work a little early and leave a piece of
29. Bake something as a family and take it to a
neighborhood or family in need
30. Wear a ribbon or bracelet to show support of a
cause
31. Educate yourself on issues you care about
32. Play an instrument or sing for hospice patients
33. Donate new or gently used baby supplies
34. Add a banner ad or widget to your personal
webpage to raise awareness or funds for a cause you
believe in
35. Participate in a local walk/run for a cause
36. Promote worthwhile events and festivals by word of
mouth
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CHILDREN/YOUTH Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Anaheim Family YMCA
240 S Euclid St.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 635-9622 ext. 1613
www.anaheimymca.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Interact and work with
children
Anaheim Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO)
714-524-2976
714-477-7444
Volunteer Opportunities: soccer referee
Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS)
14131 Yorba St. #200
Tustin, CA 92780
Volunteer Opportunities: Please call for more
information
Boys & Girls Club of Anaheim
311 East Broadway
Anaheim, CA 92805
(714) 491-3617
www.theboysandgirlsclub.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Interact and work with
children in the areas of educational assistance and
public safety.
Boys & Girls Club of Buena Park
7758 Knott Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 522-7259
www.boysgirlsclubbuenapark.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreational
Boys & Girls Club of Garden Grove
10540 Chapman Avenue
Garden Grove, CA 92840
714-530-0430
http://www.bgcgg.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreational
Boys & Girls Club of Stanton
11050 Cedar Street
Stanton, California 90680
(714) 891-0740
www.boysandgirlsclubofstanton.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreational
GOALS – ABC Community
2176 W. Alameda Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
714-956-4625
https://www.goals.org/abc-community#!
Volunteer Opportunities: Tutoring and playing
with children.
Human Options
5540 Trabuco Rd., Ste. 100
Irvine, CA 92620
949-737-5242
Email. info@humanoptions.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Tutoring and playing
with children.
Kidworks
1902 W. Chestnut Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92703
714-834-9400
Volunteer Opportunities: Tutoring
Think Together
www.thinktogether.org
E-mail: tlinnert@thinktogether.org
Phone Number: (714) 543-3807 ext. 204
Volunteer Opportunities: Work with at-risk
youth through mentoring and tutoring
19
ENVIRONMENT Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Adopt-a-Park Program
714-973-6871
www.ocparks.com
email: agneline.santiago@prfd.ocgov.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Cleaning up the lakes,
beaches and parks of California.
Anaheim Parks, Recreation & Community
Services
200 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 433
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-765-5191
www.anaheim.net
e-mail: volunteer@anaheim.net
Volunteer Opportunities: Clearing House: Oak
Canyon Nature Center, Kids for Parks program,
Meals on Wheels, tree planting, graffiti removal,
etc.
Coast Keepers
(714) 850-1965
https://www.coastkeeper.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Clean the beach.
Earth Resource Foundation
949-645-5163
www.earthresource.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Beach clean-ups, water
quality research projects and native plant
restoration.
Environmental Nature Center (ENC)
949-645-8489
www.ENCenter.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Grounds maintenance,
gardening, office duties, craft projects, birthday
parties
Fullerton Arboretum
1900 Associated Road
Fullerton, CA 92831
714-278-7548
http://arboretum.fullerton.edu/
Volunteer Opportunities: Landscaping
Harbors, Beaches, & Parks of OC
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92862
714-973-6871
www.ocparks.com/adoptapark
Volunteer Opportunities: Maintenance
Placentia Parks & Recreation
401 E. Chapman Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
714-993-8184
www.placentia.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreational
Shadetree Partnership, Inc.
949-453-5670
www.shadetreepartnership.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Water, weed, stake,
prune, fertilize and replant plants. Take inventory
and perform general nursery functions.
Surfrider Foundation, South OC Chapter
P.O. Box 865
San Clemente, CA 92672
949-206-2523
www.surfrider.org/southorangecounty
e-mail: southoc@surfrider.org
20
HEALTH/MEDICAL Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Alzheimer’s Association of Orange County
17771 Cowan, Suite 200
Irvine, CA 92614
949-955-9000
www.alzoc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Help with committees,
events, information tables/health fairs, art therapy
projects, general office work
American Cancer Society
1940 E Deere Ave # 100
Santa Ana, CA
949-261-9446
www.cancer.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Help promote the different
health fair events throughout the year, such as, Teens
Kick Ash Program and Relay for Life Program.
American Red Cross Blood Services
600 Park Center Drive
Santa Ana, CA
714-835-5381
www.oc-redcross.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Help with registration
during blood drives. Free training, volunteers do not
touch blood!
Anaheim Regional Hospital
1111 W. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92801
714-774-1450
ww.anaheimregionalmc.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Clerical
CHOC Hospital
455 S. Main St.
Orange, CA 92868
(714) 558-2462
www.choc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Child life: playrooms,
waiting rooms, school rooms. There are many others
via the website.
Garden Grove Hospital
12601 Garden Grove Blvd.
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-537-5160
Volunteer Opportunities: Students should contact the
volunteer manager for further information.
Hoag Hospital
One Hoag Drive, P.O. Box 6100
Newport Beach, CA 92658-6100
949-764-HOAG (4624)
Volunteer Opportunities: Students should contact the
volunteer manager for further information.
St. Joseph Hospital
1100 West Stewart Drive
Orange, CA 92868-3891
(714) 771-8000
www.sjo.org
Email: volunteer@stjoe.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Patient support, errands, gift
shops, and much more
UCI Medical Center
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868-3298
(714) 534-0547
www.ucihealth.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Clerical
21
HUNGER/HOMELESSNESS Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Action Partnership
11870 Monarch Street
Garden Grove, California 92841
714- 897-6670
Volunteer Opportunities: Packing food boxes
that are distributed to the hungry in Orange County
Catholic Worker
316 South Cypress Avenue,
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-835-6304
Volunteer Opportunities: End of the month can
use more help with feeding the poor, interacting
with children, and various other opportunities.
Mary’s Kitchen
517 West Struck Avenue
Orange, CA 92867-5521
714-633-0444
www.maryskitchen.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Sorting clothes,
preparing meals and serving to the
underprivileged.
Orange Coast Interfaith Shelter
1963 Wallace Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627-3424
(949) 631-7213
www.ocinterfaithshelter.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Feeding the poor;
mentoring/tutoring youth
Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County
8014 Marine Way
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 653-2900
Volunteer Opportunities: Food labeling and
sorting for distribution to needy families.
Serving People in Need (SPIN)
151 Kalmus Drive, H-2
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 751-1101
Email: info@spinoc.org
Web: http://www.spinoc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Feeding the poor
Someone Cares Soup Kitchen
720 West 19th Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
(949) 548-8861
Volunteer Opportunities: Serve and prepare
meals. Monday – Friday 9a.m – 5p.m., Saturday &
Sunday 8 a.m.-2p.m.
Southwest Community Center
1601 West 2nd Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703-3618
(714) 543-8933
Volunteer Opportunities: Serving the poor.
22
LIBRARIES Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Anaheim Central Library
500 W. Broadway
Anaheim, CA 92805
714-165-1880
Volunteer Opportunities: Shelve books in
children’s area, craft projects, participate in puppet
shows,
Brea Branch Library
#1 Civic Center Cir.
Brea, CA 92821-5784
714-671-1722
www.ocpl.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Shelve books in
children’s area, craft projects, participate in puppet
shows, Summer Reading Program, create flyers
and signs for upcoming events.
Chino Branch Library
13180 Central Ave.
Chino, CA 91710-4125
909-465-5280
www.sbcounty.gov/library/
Volunteer Opportunities: shelving to sorting
books, from story time to computer training, from
tutoring in our literacy program to assisting with
children's programming
Costa Mesa Branch Library
1855 Park Avenue
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-646-8845
Volunteer Opportunities: Book covering and
Mending, Special Events & Projects, Children’s
Programs, Computer Help
Cypress Branch Library
5331 Orange Avenue
Cypress, CA 90630-2985
714-826-0350
www.ocpl.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Shelving books and
assisting with arts and crafts projects.
Garden Grove Branch Library
11200 Stanford Ave.
Garden Grove, CA 92840
714-530-0711
Volunteer Opportunities: Shelving books and
straightening shelves and tables.
Heritage Park Regional Branch Library
14361 Yale Avenue
Irvine, CA 92604-1901
(949) 936-4040
Volunteer Opportunities: General volunteers will
shelve and clean books and bookshelves. Summer
Reading Program Volunteers will assist in
registration, decorations, nametags and crafts.
Huntington Beach Central Library
7111 Talbert Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-842-4481
www.hbpl.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Assist staff with
shelving books, assisting patrons to find materials
and checking materials in and out. Assist students
with homework.
Irvine – Heritage Park Regional Library
14361 Yale Avenue
Irvine, CA. 92604
949-936-4040
Volunteer Opportunities: Please call for more
information.
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LIBRARIES Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
La Habra Branch Library
221 E La Habra Blvd
La Habra, CA 90631
562-694-0078
www.ocpl.org
Volunteer Opportunities: shelve and pull books
and prepare arts and crafts projects.
Summer Reading Program volunteers will assist
with the reading program through June, July and
August.
Newport Beach Public Library
1000 Avocado Avenue
Newport Beach, CA 92660
949-717-3800
www.newportbeachlibrary.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Pease call for more
information.
Orange Public Library
407 East Chapman Avenue
Orange, CA 92866-1509
(714) 288-2400
www.ocpl.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Help prepare for
events, shelve and label books and assist with the
Summer Reading Program.
Placentia Library District
411 East Chapman Avenue
Placentia, CA 92870-6101
714-528-1906
www.placentialibrary.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Computer help, shelve
books, tutor in the bookstore.
Santa Ana Public Library
26 Civic Center Plaza
Santa Ana, CA 92701
714-647-5250
Volunteer Opportunities: Cleaning, shelving, and
straightening library materials. Filing, typing, and
inputting data. Friends of the Library Book Sales.
Processing library materials. Assisting with
children's programs.
Tustin Library
345 E. Main Street
Tustin, CA 92780
(714) 544-7725
Volunteer Opportunities: Computer help, shelve
books, tutor in the bookstore.
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MISCELLANEOUS Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Boy Scout of America/Council 39/OC
1211 East Dyer Road, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Phones: (714) 546-4990, (714) 546-8558
www.ocbsa.org
Volunteer Opportunities: The mission of the Boy
Scouts of America is to prepare young people to
make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes
by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath
and Law.
City of Anaheim Police Department
425 S. Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
Non-emergency phone: (714) 765-1900
www.anaheim.net
Volunteer Opportunity: Help with explorer
program, do traffic control, events, office work and
newspaper
Discovery Science Center
2500 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-913-5037
www.discoverycube.org
e-mail: volunteer@disocoverycube.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreation, Office
Work
Extra Hands for ALS
(949) 362-2869
www.extrahands.org
e-mail: val@extrahands.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Child Care,
Landscaping, Household Assistance
Friends of the Santa Ana Zoo
1801 East Chestnut Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92701
(714) 836-4000
www.santaanazoo.org
Volunteer Opportunity: Help with different
events throughout the year
Girl Scouts of America
949-461-8858
www.girlscouts.org/
Volunteers@GSCOC.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Girl Scouting builds
girls of courage, confidence, and character, who
make the world a better place.
Giving Children Hope
8332 Commonwealth Ave.
Buena Park, CA 90621
714-523-4454
Volunteer Opportunities: Sorting canned food
and medical supplies for distribution to countries
in disaster
J.F. Shea Therapeutic Riding Center
26284 Oso Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
949-240-8441
www.sheacenter.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Maintenance
Special Olympics of OC
2080 N. Tustin #B
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-564-8374
www.sosc.org/orangecounty.html
e-mail: orangecounty@sosc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Recreational Working Wardrobes Development
3030 Pullman Street
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Phone: (714) 210-2460
Fax: (714) 434-2870
Email: Info@WorkingWardrobes.org Volunteer Opportunities: Office duties, sorting and tagging donations, etc…
25
NON-PROFIT AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS
Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Aids Services Foundation Orange County
17982 Sky Park Circle, Suite J
Irvine, CA 92614
949-809-5700
www.ocasf.org
e-mail: asf@ocasf.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work, Program
Services
American Heart Association
4600 Campus Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
949-856-3555
www.americanheart.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work, Program
Services
Arthritis Foundation
17155 Newhope Street
Fountain Valley, CA 92708
714-436-1623
www.arthritis.org
e-mail: info.sca.ocb@arthritis.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work
Canning Hunger
407 W. Imperial Hwy., Suite H-313
Brea, CA 92821
714-990-9234
www.canninghunger.org
e-mail: norm@canninghunger.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Human Services
Goodwill Industries
410 N. Fairview Street
Santa Ana, CA 92703
714-547-6301
www.ocgoodwill.org
Volunteer opportunities: Office Work
Habitat for Humanity
www.habitatoc.org
714-434-6200
Volunteer Opportunities: Prepare and serve
lunch at a construction site, work in the ReStore, or
organize a variety of fundraising events.
Help for Brain Injured Children
981 Euclid
La Habra, CA 90631
562-694-5655
http://www.hbic.org/
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work, Program
Services
HomeAid of Orange County
1744 Sky Park Circle, Suite 170
Irvine, CA 92614
949-553-9510
http://www.homeaidoc.org/
e-mail: info@homeaidoc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work,
Construction
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
2020 E. 1st Street, Suite 120
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-881-0610
e-mail: ingramj@lls.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Human Services,
Office Work, Special Events
Make a Wish Foundation of
Orange County / Inland Empire
14232 Red Hill Ave.
Tustin, CA 92780
714-573-9474
www.wishocie.org
e-mail: orangeco@wishocie.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work, Human
Services
26
NON-PROFIT AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS
Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
March of Dimes OC Division
2222 Martin, Suite 155
Irvine, CA 92612
949-263-1100
www.marchofdimes.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Office Work
Multiple Sclerosis Society of OC
3000-C Airway Ave., Suites 100-125
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
800-344-4867 http://www.mspacific.org/ e-mail: msinfo@mspacific.org
Office Work
National Fibromyalgia Association
2200 N. Glassell St., Suite A
Orange, CA 92865
714-921-0150
www.fmaware.org
Office Work
Orange County Burn Association
333 The City Blvd., Suite 810
Orange, CA 92868
714-456-9838
www.ocburn.org
e-mail: office@ocburn.org
Office Work, Special Events
Orangewood Children’s Foundation
1575 E. 17th
Street
Santa Ana, CA 92705
714-619-0200
www.orangewoodfoundation.org
e-mail: swhittenberg@orangewoodfoundation.org
Children’s Services, Special Events, Office
Work
Parent Help USA
330 W. Bay Street, Suite 120
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
949-903-2356
www.parenthelpusa.org
e-mail: moacausa@aol.com
Office Work, Child Care
Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
9272 Jeronimo Rd., Suite A-107A
Irvine, CA 92618
949-859-6312
www.pcrf-kids.com
e-mail: admin@pcrf-kids.com
Children’s Services, Special Events
Ronald McDonald House of OC
383 S. Batavia St.
Orange, CA 92868
714-639-3600
www.ronaldhouseoc.org
e-mail: info@ronaldhouseoc.org
Human Services, Office Work,
Special Events
Salvation Army Corporation
10200 Pioneer Road
Tustin, CA 92782
714-832-7100
www.salvationarmyoc.org
Recreational
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SENIOR SERVICES Volunteer organizations below are samples. Other non-profit organizations can be used for service hours.
Acacia Adult Day Service
11391 Acacia Parkway
Garden Grove, CA 92840
714-530-1566
info@acacia-services.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Helping with activities
for elderly or disabled adults.
Alta Garden Care Center
13075 Blackbird Street
Garden Grove, CA 92843
714-530-6322
Volunteer Opportunities: Room visits – singing,
stories, general conversation, instruments a plus
etc…
Bradford Square Retirement Center
1180 N. Bradford Ave.
Placentia, CA 92870
714-996-9292
Elderly Care
Buena Vista Care Center
1440 S Euclid Avenue
Anaheim, CA 92802
714-535-7264
Volunteer Opportunities: Interacting with
residents; reading stories, conversation, activities,
etc…
Council on Aging Orange County
1971 East 4th St # 200
Santa Ana, CA 92705-3917
(714) 479-0107
www.coaoc.org
Volunteer Opportunities: Help promote the
different health fair events throughout the year,
such as, Teens Kick Ash Program and Relay for
Life Program.
Cypress Gardens
285 W. Central Ave,
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 672-0183
Elder Care
Hugs for Health
Hug For Health Foundation
P.O. Box 896
Seal Beach, CA 90740
714-832-4847
http://www.hugs4health.org/
e-mail: hfhinfo@hugs4health.org
Elder Care, Special Events
Sea Cliff Healthcare
18811 Florida Street
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
714-847-3515
mwilliams@ensigngroup.net
Volunteer Opportunities: Play games, exercise
groups, room visits – orientation needed
Sunbridge for Tustin
(714) 541-1444
www.ochealthinfo.com
Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteer at Health
Fairs, community projects and work with
businesses for a no smoking policy.
28
Do’s and Don’ts of Successful Volunteering
Do be flexible. It is rare to find the “perfect” fit right away.
Keep an open mind – you might discover something new that
interests you.
Do be persistent. Volunteer coordinators are often busy, so don’t
assume they are not interested in you if they don’t call or email you
back right away.
Do attend orientation meetings. Keep in mind that informed
volunteers are the best volunteers. These meetings will help you do
the best job possible.
Do take necessary training classes. Ask about them before you
decide to get involved and be prepared to learn what will be needed.
Do be responsible. Show up on time and follow through with your
commitments. People will be depending on you.
Don’t expect to start at the top. You have to work hard and prove
your worth before you are given more responsibility.
Don’t think volunteering has to be a group effort. You can start on
your own volunteer program and do it on your own time.
Do expect to get plenty of personal enjoyment and satisfaction from
your volunteer experiences.
From Catch the Spirit! A Student’s Guide to Community Service published by The Prudential in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Education.
29
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
What is the Fairmont Preparatory Academy Community Service Program?
Through the Fairmont Preparatory Academy (FPA) Community Service Program, students are provided with a structured program in which they can better understand the reality of service to others. Potentially, the Community Service Program will allow the student to experience community service in a dynamic way by actively participating in a wide variety of community service opportunities.
Is participation required in FPA’s Community Service Program?
Yes, participation in the Fairmont Preparatory Community Service Program is a graduation requirement.
How many hours are required?
Students must complete a minimum of 20 community service hours a year during their time at Fairmont Preparatory Academy. By spring break of the senior year, students should have accumulated a minimum of 80 hours. Students are encouraged to exceed the 80 hour requirement.
When do the students perform their service? All service hours must be completed after school, on weekends, holidays, or during vacation periods. Students are NOT allowed to be absent from school to perform their service hours or perform community service hours during school hours. The only exception would be for a specific service learning project for a class project.
What if I transfer to FPA? If a student transfers into FPA from another school the community service hours will be pro-rated. For example: If Johnnie transfers in as a 10th grader then he/she will be responsible for 60 hours rather than 80 hours.
Can students get service hours through helping people individually?
Helping a family member, friend or neighbor, who, for example, suffers from a serious illness or needs assistance with schoolwork, is NOT accepted in the FPA Service Program. This is considered a personal issue and NOT a form of community service. Service must be performed with a non-profit organization.
What activities will count for community service hours at church? There are many activities through religious organizations that students can use to earn service-learning hours. These include: preparing and serving meals to homeless; working in shelters; clothing/food/book/toy drives; community improvements/renovations; or participating in community clean-up projects. As specified by the federal guidelines on the separation of church and state, service that is conducted for religious practice cannot be counted for community service/service-learning hours. This includes activities such as Altar services, Acolytes, choir, teaching and/or assisting in the teaching of Bible/Sunday school, and setting up for religious services.
Is baby-sitting accepted in the Fairmont Preparatory Academy Community Service Program? No, students cannot babysit for neighbors, friends, or family for free and earn community service hours. However, if the student is providing a service that helps address a community need, such as supervising children on site during a PTA meeting or a community health meeting (such as Alcoholics Anonymous or political forum), these hours could count. The only acceptable form of childcare results from a service preformed at a non-profit facility that is publicly licensed.
“I slept and dreamt that life was pleasure, I woke and saw that life was service, I served and discovered that service was pleasure.”
~ Rabindranath Tagore
30
Can my child earn service-learning hours at a licensed day care center? Yes. All child labor laws must be followed and the center must be licensed by the state of California. Students must be working directly with children to promote healthy child development. Acceptable activities may include reading to/with children, assisting with arts and crafts, supervising recreation time, completion of learning activities that provide school readiness, tutoring, etc…
Additionally, students cannot be paid or used in place of a paid employee and the business cannot financially benefit from the student's participation (i.e., additional children cannot be brought into the day care facility because the student is present).
Does clerical/custodial work count for community service hours? Clerical tasks may be a component of many valuable service-learning projects. However, these tasks must be done in a nonprofit organization and cannot be more than 25% of the service experience (e.g., answering phones, stuffing and labeling envelopes, collating, stapling, filing, faxing). Work that is considered custodial or janitorial cannot count as service-learning hours.
Can my child work for my friend's business? All service-learning projects must meet a real community need. Students may be able to earn hours depending on the activity, but a business may not financially profit from the service-learning efforts of our students.
Example: Students can serve at a senior citizen home if they are visiting with residents and assisting with recreational or other approved activities. Students cannot work for a business without being paid to earn hours, even under an internship or work study program, unless their service meets a community need such as assisting a restaurant in the planning and serving of a free dinner for the homeless.
Can my child campaign for a political candidate/specific issue and earn community service hours? Yes, a student may complete independent service-learning activities for any political candidate or endorse any issue/cause of their own choosing without discrimination as long as it is done completely outside of the school day. All activities must be pre-approved and cannot be supervised by a teacher/advisor.
Can my child earn service-learning hours by being a team manager? No. While team managers/assistants can be a valuable part of school athletic teams, participation as a manager or assistant does not meet the state requirements for service-learning. However, students assisting in the coaching and supervision of community-based teams (such as those run by County Recreation and Parks) may earn hours if they are not paid for their service.
Can my child earn hours for participating in music/theatre productions? Students cannot earn hours for participating in a school performance or competition (such as the spring music concert). However, if the group is voluntarily performing in public (e.g., community parade or event, performing at a senior citizen center during the holidays) then students can earn service-learning hours for their service.
Where can students go to do service hours? The best way to get a better understanding of the types of service acceptable is to refer to the following placement categories: Animal Care, Cultural, Disability, Educational, Elderly, Environmental, Fundraising, Fairmont-related, Medical, Political, Poverty, and Youth. Generally speaking, organizations/agencies that provide service in any of the aforementioned placement categories are acceptable to the FPA Community Service Program. If the volunteer work being considered does NOT fall under one of the aforementioned placement categories, please contact Mrs. Kunkle, the Director of Community Service, at akunkle@fairmontschools.com BEFORE beginning the service. Additionally, students are encouraged to use the check their Fairmont email, pay attention to the morning announcements, and/or visit Mrs. Kunkle in room 28.
31
How are group service hours documented?
Students that participate in Fairmont’s group projects do not need to turn in a green community service form. By signing up, turning in the permission slip, and showing up the day of the project, hours are automatically input in their files. Students who have NOT turned in a permission slip are not able to attend the service project.
How are individual service project hours tracked? Students that participate in individual service projects need to turn in a community service form. Every independent community service project must be pre-approved by the Director of Community Service PRIOR to beginning the project.
Once the service project has been completed the student must turn in the form in order for their hours to be logged. Once the hours are logged, the form is placed in the student’s community service file. Students are welcome to verify their hours with Mrs. Kunkle. Students must have a community service form in their possession from the time they start volunteering at a particular organization/agency so the hours can be documented as they occur. To prevent a form from being returned and slowing the verification process, students should be sure to follow all directions and policies as disclosed on the document. Only original community service forms that have been correctly completed will be accepted. Form letters or
certificates of achievement from an organization/agency are NOT accepted in lieu of the form, but a copy of the letter or certificate may be attached.
How can the student make sure the service hours have been processed and recorded? Students may request a printout that details the number of hours they have served. This request can be made by sending an e-mail to Mrs. Kunkle at akunkle@fairmontschools.com. Approximately one week should be allowed for processing, from the time a community service form is submitted, before a printout is requested.
What is the “Reflection Project?” This component of the Community Service requirement provides a means for the student to look back at their experiences and contemplate thoughts and feelings as it relates to helping others after the required service hours have been successfully been completed. The outline for completing the reflection project is on page 6 of this book.
“In every community, there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart, there is the power to do it.”
- Marianne Williamson
“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.”
- Albert Pike
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Community Service Quiz
To help you understand the difference what is a service project and what is not considered service the following quiz will test your knowledge. Circle the correct answer! 1). Is babysitting my brother service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 2). Is helping out at the Boys & Girls Club service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 3). Is planting a tree in my backyard service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 4). Is planting a tree in a local park service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 5). Is working in my dad’s office service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 6). Is working at CHOC Hospital service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 7). Is participating on my school’s track team service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 8). Is fundraising and participating in the CHOC Walk or AIDS Walk service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 9). Is feeding the homeless at my church service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 10). Is teaching Bible study at my church service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 11). Is going to Skid Row in Los Angeles with some of my church members to feed the poor service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service 12). Is having a car wash fundraiser for my Travel Week trip service? a). YES, Service b). NOT Service Answer Key! 1). B 2). A 3). B 4). A 5). B 6). A 7). B 8). A 9). A 10). B 11). A 12). B