Welcome to the student application page for the 2018 Summer Service Projects. The projects, now in their 28th year, offer students a unique experience of service and community, which has consistently made a significant impact on the lives of all who have been involved.
In addition to serving the poor and marginalized, it is hoped you experience a personal transformation by living in a communal setting, practicing simple living, and maintaining a positive and open attitude.
One of the great benefits of every service project is the opportunity to develop new friendships with students from across the country who come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. You will be expected to step outside of your comfort zone to reach out and make certain that everyone feels like an important part of the "project community." "Inclusiveness" is an attitude that you are expected to bring with you, so that all participants have a rich, affirming experience.
At most locations, you will sleep on the floor, drink water from the tap as opposed to bottled water, and personally cook and eat nutritious, well-balanced, basic meals with provisions made for vegetarians and some easily accommodated allergies. Severe allergies may be a deterrent to being accepted into a Service Project. In some locations there will be no air conditioning and shower facilities will not be luxurious. You will relinquish your cell phone(s) during the project in order to enter more fully into the service aspect of the project. You will be given opportunities to contact home via periodic moments of blogging or some limited access to the internet.
At times, you may be asked to walk a long distance with your project leaders, we recommend that you wear comfortable walking shoes. Following each day's activities there will be time for reflection and group sharing. In solidarity with the poor, this is the time to leave behind the materialism and commercialism of today's world. Entertainment in the evenings will be simply and generally "at home."
These simple challenges pale in comparison to the deprivations experienced by millions of our impoverished brothers and sisters in the US and around the world - that is the whole point! Please know that there will be minimal time given during the projects for touring or shopping since these activities are not in keeping with the spirit of "simple living."
Thousands of Sacred Heart students have mastered these situations and maintain fond memories and fine friendships for many years. If you are willing to modify your lifestyle for the designated time period, we encourage you to apply.
