Service Options

Community Service.... A Franciscan Tradition

As a Catholic Franciscan college, Alvernia has had a long-standing tradition of service to others. In 1991, Alvernia instituted a graduation requirement of community service for all degree-seeking students. The college supports a full-time office of community service to assist students in completing this requirement. You are strongly advised to complete this service requirement prior to your last semester of course work so that your date of graduation is not jeopardized. The college continually seeks to increase the variety of options and agencies for completing this service to others. The basic options are listed herein and can be described more fully by the personnel in the community service office. We welcome your ideas for individual or group service projects.

Individual Service
If you choose the 40 clock hours of approved service to others, you are free to volunteer your services at any of the pre-approved non-profit agencies that are posted in the service office and on the college web site. Make your own arrangements with the non-profit agency of your choice. Have the agency supervisor sign a verification form for the hours that you complete. Forms are available in all buildings on campus. Pre-approval is needed for service in other non-profit agencies.

Service for Stipends
There are numerous government programs that will pay students for service. Students who qualify for financial aid are eligible to apply for these programs. We have opportunities on and off campus. If you enjoy working with children in sports or academic areas, this could be for you. You can work with senior citizens and assist in packing food for the hungry. You will be paid for your service and the hours will also count towards your service requirement.

Service for Academic Credit
Many professors have agreed to add a service-learning component to an existing course. Along with the three credits for this course you may wish to complete a service project for which you will receive one additional academic credit. There is no fee for this credit and it is applied as an elective credit towards graduation. The hours served also count towards your graduation requirement. Completing this project is strictly optional. You are entitled to apply for one service credit each year for a total of four credits. Ask your instructors if they have added a service component to the course you have selected. Please have the instructor contact the Registrar’s Office or Mission and Ministry.

For Your Consideration

Many employers and higher education institutions view public and community service experience as an important factor in selecting applicants and employees. When building your resume use these skills to highlight your aptitudes.

If you have been active in community service throughout your college career and would like to develop a Community Service Activity Profile as part of your portfolio please visit the Registrar’s Office or Mission and Ministry for details and assistance.

The Higher Education Council of Berks County has produced a guide to select service projects compatible with your academic major.

When selecting a community service site or activity, you may wish to consider several personal outcomes. Volunteering can impact on your occupational choice or job search. It offers an opportunity to take a closer look at a career field or build useful job skills including time management, teamwork, and problem solving. It is not uncommon for volunteers to connect with a well-informed community network that can pass on job opportunities and attest to skills of punctuality, reliability and enthusiasm. Community service experience can serve as the "marketable edge" and is often included in a resume. From another perspective, volunteering can also meet a personal need. Perhaps you are not finding enough time to talk with others, be creative, enjoy the outdoors or work with your hands. Community service can offer these opportunities and thus meet your needs while enriching the lives of others.

The Simple Path
The fruit of silence is
Prayer
The fruit of prayer is
Faith
The fruit of faith is
Love
The fruit of love is
Service
The fruit of service is
Peace

- Mother Teresa

Updated: July 20, 2006

Your comments are welcome.