Service Learning 

Service Learning Goals

Service Learning experiences at Saint Francis University are designed to:

·   Stimulate students’ intellectual, social, and spiritual development

·   Promote an understanding of ethical issues and respect for all forms of diversity

·   Foster an appreciation of Franciscan values and heritage, especially the   importance of service to others

·   Instill a sense of civic responsibility and a commitment to seeking justice, overcoming poverty, and building peace

   through direct service to others

Completing the Service Learning Requirement

Students fulfill their service learning requirement at Saint Francis during their sophomore year as part of a General Education course, Religious Studies 205: Faith and Franciscanism.  Students engage in at least ten hours of direct service and reflect on their service experiences in writing, which is a crucial step in the process of understanding the value of service. 

Students complete their service requirement in a variety of ways, such as refurbishing old houses for low income families, providing Meals-On-Wheels, doing yard work for the physically impaired or the elderly, helping to operate soup kitchens, and assisting in after-school programs for young people.  Saint Francis University has developed partnerships with a wide range of organizations in surrounding communities to provide service learning opportunities for students.  

Service Learning Throughout the Curriculum

Many students report that their service learning experience in “Faith and Franciscanism" has opened their eyes to individual needs and social programs of which they had not been aware.  As a result, students often go beyond the required amount of service learning hours by volunteering in their own communities or by completing service learning modules in other courses. 

Many professors at Saint Francis offer service learning opportunities to students enrolled in their classes.  Service learning options are regularly offered in biology, chemistry, computer science, education, languages, music, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, religious studies, and sociology.  In these as in all service learning experiences embedded within courses, service opportunities are connected to courses’ learning outcomes and enable students to connect theory with practice. 

Opportunities to Serve 
The list below includes most of the service learning experiences available to students in Religious Studies 205 and in other courses with service learning options. The service learning office in Scotus 213 has a complete list of service learning options.

Helping individuals with Handicaps

Apartment Program
Skill Group
Special Olympics
Ebensburg Center
Hiram G. Andrews School 

Interactions with the Elderly

Laurel Crest
Garvey Manor
Veterans Home
Rebekah Manor

Children-at-Risk

Career Exploration
Ebensburg Detention Center
Y.E.S.- Youth Encountering Struggles

Construction Projects

B.R.I.D.G.E. – Building Relations In Diversity and Global Experience

Habitat for Humanity
Partners in Revitalization
Nature Trail

Fun with Children

S.M.I.L.E. – Saturday Morning is Laughs and Exercise
Girl Scouts
Day Care and Latchkey Programs
Plus-1
R.O.C.K. – Rural Outreach Chemistry for Kids

Other Projects

Bloodmobile
Humane Society
Soup Kitchens
Dorothy Day Center

To learn more about Service Learning at Saint Francis University, contact Ms. Paula Craw, Director of Service Learning, at 814-472-3343 or pcraw@francis.edu.