Service
Service puts the Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice and respect into action. Students learn the importance of reaching out to persons in need. Service is a chance to learn and grow in ways that are impossible in a classroom. These experiences allow students to come across challenging situations and circumstances that expose the social issues present in the world and the significance and value of their work.
Service gives even the youngest students opportunities to understand issues around people in need so that even simple food drives become lessons in learning. The scope of service enlarges as students progress through the grades. Typically, High School students spend at least 100 hours in service at over 100 sites. Students regularly participate in service seminars as a time for self-reflection on their experiences.
High School
Students choose the type of service and location they are interested in. Often students choose to get involved with projects serving women and children, health issues and housing. For years SMA has enjoyed ongoing relationships with many well-regarded organizations.
Service sites include:
Clothes to Kids, Metro CareRing, Hope House of Colorado, Project Angel Heart, SaddleUp! Foundation, Special Olympics, The Bridge Project, Warren Village
Clothes to Kids, Metro CareRing, Hope House of Colorado, Project Angel Heart, SaddleUp! Foundation, Special Olympics, The Bridge Project, Warren Village
Service trips give High School students an even broader look at issues. Among these trips are:
- Spring Break in New Orleans (rebuilding houses with Habitat for Humanity). Check out photos below.
- Loretto Motherhouse Summer Trip (running a summer camp, working on the farm)
- Blessed Trinity Leadership Academy in Ghana. The first school in the village of Akokoamong, the school is operated by Ghanaian sisters who are a sister community to Loretto. Below: Check out students getting the Ghana school ready to open.
- Border Experience/Advocacy Trip on the El Paso Border (with Loretto-sponsored high schools.)
Middle School
Throughout the year students participate regularly in three areas of service:- The Martin School of Early Education: Early childhood education.
- Saint Elizabeth of Hungary Church: Preparing and serving lunch at the sandwich line.
-
Meridian Retirement Community in Englewood: Visit with elders.
Lower School
Students participate in ongoing service in these areas:- Friends of St. Andrew, sponsored by Queen of Peace Parish: Fill Christmas stockings; work with the parish to fill/distribute Thanksgiving food baskets.
- Aurora Warms the Night: Make blankets and collect toiletries and snacks for homeless persons.
- Emily Griffith Opportunity School: Collect books for adult refugees learning English.
Click here for a listing of service sites in the Denver area that reinforce the Loretto School Values of faith, community, justice and respect.
When doing my community service at a healthcare and rehabilitation center I was able to connect with people on a different level than I do in my everyday interactions. I found myself being committed to serving them and, as a result, learning more than I thought possible.
