Christian Service

Jesus and his disciples were at supper. Jesus, knowing that the Father had given him all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around his waist.  Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet…  - John 13: 2 – 5

The Christian Service Program provides students with the opportunity to witness their commitment to Christian values through service to the wider community. Students are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours of service at one agency during their Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year (100 hours total), or participate in MICAH (Mitty in Communion Actively Helping). Students may choose to participate in projects from agencies which are pre-approved by Mr. Bill Kroenung, the Campus Ministry Associate for Christian Service. Exceptions to the pre-approved agencies must be applied for and approved by the Christian Service Coordinator. Archbishop Mitty also offers unique international and national immersion experiences, which will also serve to fulfill the Christian Service Requirement. (See “Immersion Program” section on website.)

Graduation Requirement

The Christian Service Program seeks to provide you with the opportunity to witness your commitment to Christian values through service to the wider community.  You are required to complete a minimum of 25 hours at one agency during the current school year and each of your years at Archbishop Mitty for a total of 100 hours before graduation.  As much as possible, your service should involve direct interaction with people and should address injustices in the wider community.  You may not miss any school time to complete service work.

The Campus Ministry and Religious Studies departments work together to facilitate the Christian Service Program.

Building Your Online Christian Service Portfolio

Take time to think carefully and pray about where you would like to perform your service. When you have finished your decision-making process, complete the following:

1. Log in to the CS Database. The link to this is found in the left margin of this page.
   
   
2. Follow the directions for the Intent to Serve and submit this information for your religious studies teacher to review.
   
   
3. You need your parents’ authorization before you start your work. Your parents need to complete and submit the online Parental Authorization form, giving permission for your participation at an off-campus agency.
   
   
4. All students are required to complete the Intent to Serve and submit the Parental Authorization by by September 24

If you wish to do your service work at an agency that is not on the pre-approved list, please indicate that in the “Intent to Serve” section and answer the questions that follow. Please submit this request at least two weeks before you begin your service. You will receive an email that confirms or denies your proposal within two weeks.

Freshmen and Sophomore Year

Full verification of hours for freshman is due on May 13.

Full verification of hours for sophomores is due on May 6.

Time Card and Verification Form (pdf)

Junior and Senior Year: Thematic Service

Juniors and seniors are required to adhere to specific themes for their Christian Service work so that they are challenged to explore new ways to serve and are able to connect their work to the religious studies curriculum.

Juniors will complete 25 hours of service at one agency of their choice that serves people who are disadvantaged by poverty. More specifically, students will perform direct service with the poor, disenfranchised, and marginalized in our community.

A Minimum of 10 Hours is due on January 7.
Full verification of hours for juniors is due on April 29.

Seniors will complete 25 hours of service at one agency that serves marginalized communities. This group includes persons disadvantaged by poverty, disabled persons, elderly persons, and persons in hospitals or in hospice care.

Full verification of hours for seniors is due on April 22.

Verification of Hours

At the start of the second semester and at various other times during the year, your religious studies teacher will require you to log in and enter the hours you have completed as of that date. This will allow your teacher and guidance counselor to view your progress and give you support and help if necessary.

By the due dates posted above, you must provide written verification that you have completed at least 25 hours at one service agency through a signed Time Card and Verification Form (pdf) or a letter from your adult supervisor. Submit this to your religious studies teacher, who will check your form(s) and verify your hours online.

If you have any questions, please see or email Mr. Kroenung in Campus Ministry.

MICAH: Mitty in Communion Actively Helping

"This is what the Lord asks of you, that you act justly, love tenderly, and walk humbly with your God" MICAH 6:8

The MICAH program exists to provide students with more opportunities to perform Christian service together with other students. Each semester, a group of students goes together to various agencies in San Jose to work and reflect on their encounters. The service schedule and transportation are provided by the MICAH program. The MICAH program is scheduled for Wednesday afternoons, and participation in the ten-week long program fulfills the service requirement for the year.

All students are invited to be a part of the MICAH program, provided they commit to participating in all of the volunteer experiences. There is a program in the fall and a second program in the spring. Applications for the Spring 2010 program are available online. There is a $25.00 program fee.

MICAH Online 2009-2010 Application Form (Application deadline is January 8, 2010)
MICAH Calendar of Events (pdf)

For more information on the program, contact Megan Walker.

FAQs

Where can I serve?
You can serve at any non-profit agency on our pre-approved list on the AMHS website.

What if I know of an agency or project that is not on the pre-approved list?
Complete a Proposal for Christian Service Form and give it to your religion teacher at least two weeks before you start your service.

When can I start my service?
Service hours for each school year can begin after graduation.  The service requirement can begin and be completed during the summer.

How do I keep track of my hours so that I am sure that I get credit?
Be sure to record your hours on a Time Card and Verification Form.  Bring the form to your service site each day, and have an adult supervisor sign the form to verify the number of hours for the day.  At the end of your service, an adult should sign the bottom of the form, verifying the total number of hours for the year.

What if I started or finished my hours over the summer and didn’t bring a timecard?
A typed letter describing the work that you did and the total number of hours served that is signed by an adult supervisor is sufficient.

Can I complete 100 hours freshman year and complete the graduation requirement?
No.  You will complete 25 hours of service each of your four years at Archbishop Mitty.

Once I complete my initial 25 hours, may I serve at other agencies?
Yes.  Your minimum 25 hours must be at one agency, but you are encouraged to serve as many hours as possible at any agencies of your choosing.

Can I work at the same agency all four years?
Since juniors and seniors must adhere to specific themes, you will most likely need to explore a different agency for these years.

Can I go back to my old school to do my service hours?
Yes, provided that you work directly with students and do not perform administrative or janitorial tasks.  Tutoring and coaching meet the criteria for our service program, but filing and similar office work does not.

If another student already had an agency approved, do I still need to complete a project proposal?
Yes.

Can I be a coach?
Once again, you are required to work directly with the children.  Work such as maintaining fields or selling food and drinks in a snack shack does not earn service hours.

Can I perform my hours through fundraising events such as Relay for Life or the March of Dimes?
Only preparation and committee work for these events earn service hours, not time spent walking around a track or course.  If you spend at least 25 hours as a leader who helps to organize dimensions of these events, that meets the service requirement.

If I play a sport, can I still do MICAH?
You will not be able to participate in MICAH during your season, as your practice times will conflict with the Wednesday afternoon service outings.  Since there is a fall group and a spring group, be sure to apply for the group that fits your schedule.

St. Francis Service Award

The St. Francis Service Award is a way to recognize all students who perform an extraordinary amount of Christian service hours in significant service to the local and/or international community. The award is given to students who have been involved in extraordinary service projects, including Archbishop Mitty's various immersion programs. To qualify, students must have served at least 125 hours of meaningful service during the current school year.