Community Service
In the Service of Humanity
At the root of our Loyola Mission is the standard that we do all things "in the service of humanity." Whether you are a First-Year student interested in meeting new people and getting to know the hopes and struggles of our local neighborhood or you are a graduating student interested in post-graduate oportunities, our hope is that you indeed "Go forth to set the world on fire" with the kind of love and compassion that finds it's dedication in the Jesuit ideal for the "service of faith and the promotion of justice."
- Loyola4Chicago
- St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen
- Other Community Service Resources
- Post-Graduate Volunteering
Loyola4Chicago
Loyola4Chicago students provide 4 hours per week of volunteer service in Chicago throughout the academic year. Students work in service teams at various sites, including work with children, teens, the elderly, refugees, persons experiencing homelessness, and others. The student teams meet monthly to deepen their friendships, and reflect on their experience and the faith that does justice. Email Matthew "Jake" Jacobson or call 773-508-2202 for more information.
First-Year Community Service to St. Thomas of Canterbury Soup Kitchen
All first-year students are invited and encouraged to participate in weekly trips to a local soup kitchen. Led by the Loyola Companions, students meet at 3pm and 4pm on Tuesdays and Fridays to depart. The Tuesday group leaves from the Simpson Lobby and the Friday group leaves from the Ministry Office in CFSU. Email Shannon Green or call 773-508-2206 for more information.
Other Community Service Resources for Individuals or Groups
Ministry works in partnership with the Career Development Center to maintain directories of opportunities for students who wish to volunteer in the Chicago area on their own or for one-time service projects.
Loyolans are invited to communicate directly with the agencies listed in the handbook and on the e-recruiting system you can link to here. Please refer to the Taking Steps toward Community Engagement (PDF) tool developed by the Center for Experiential Learning and Ministry.
- Download the Community Service Booklet (PDF) for a list of community service opportunities
- Visit the Career Development Center's E-recruiting System to search for additional opportunities
Post-Graduate Volunteering
Thinking about volunteering after graduation? Currently many Loyola alums are serving in domestic and international sites like Syracuse, Washington DC, Denver and Pine Ridge, South Dakota as well as Peru and Micronesia seeking to use their Jesuit education "in the service of humanity." Alumni are involved with dozens of programs like the Colorado Vincentian Volunteers, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, and the Lasallian Volunteers.
Although she would refuse to drive the Ministry van at Loyola,
Alumna Rachel Higgins (Class of '07) now drives the bus that transports
reservation children to school for the Red Cloud Volunteers in Pine Ridge, SD
If you are interested in volunteering domestically or internationally after you graduate, Chaplain Shannon Green can help you find the resources, get the support, and make the connections to make it happen. Email Shannon or call 773-508-2206.
Informational materials including the RESPONSE booklet courtesy of the Catholic Network of Volunteer Services are available in the foyer of the Ministry Office at CFSU.
Post-graduate volunteers:
Erin O'Sullivan, Colorado Vincentian Volunteers
Rachel Higgins, Red Cloud Volunteers
Catherine Hedgebeth, Good Shepherd Volunteers