Student Life

Community Service

The Program

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Freshmen Information Sheet           Sophomore Information Sheet

 

Why does Mercy High School Have a Community Service Policy?

Catherine McAuley, the founder of the Sisters of Mercy, dedicated her life to working with those less fortunate than her. She required those working with her to perform service for others. So in honor and emulation of her, the program at Mercy:

• Wants students to "go out into the community" as Catherine McAuley did to help those who are in need: children, the poor, the elderly, the abused, the homeless, those whose rights have been compromised, etc.
• Believes that community service is a fundamental part of being a Christian, and it is deeply rooted in the Gospel tradition.
• Encourages students to make volunteerism part of their ongoing lifestyle, not only because it transforms society, but because it enriches and nourishes our spirits.
• Seeks to have students provide service to others in actual life situations.

 

What are the General Requirements?

• 100 hours of service during a student’s tenure at Mercy*.
• 50 hours must be spent directly helping "people in need" at social service organizations. These are "Works of Mercy." All 100 may be completed in Works of Mercy but at least 50 must be. Up to 50 hours can be "support hours" – volunteering with a non-profit organization, but not directly with people in need.
• 25 hours need to be completed every year - by the time students return in August – or they will be prohibited from participating in co-curricular activities ("community service probation").
• Students must fulfill their community service requirement in order to participate in the graduation ceremony and receive a diploma.
• Students bear the responsibility to contact agencies to set up appointments with volunteer coordinator and organize the volunteer schedule.
• There is one "community service form" – to be completed by the supervisor at the volunteer site. If a student is applying for "Mercy hours", she must complete the reflection form on the back side of the "community service form."

* Transfer student hours are pro-rated.

 

Mercy Hours

Your volunteer work qualifies as Mercy hours when you are volunteering in a non-profit organization whose mission is dedicated to serving disadvantaged people, and you are working directly with the program participants. Populations include:

• Members of society subjected to discrimination
• Homeless people or those who live in poverty
• The sick or those in poor health
• The elderly
• Abused or neglected children
• Physically or developmentally disabled people
• Ethnic minorities who have been exploited
• Despairing and depressed individuals

 

Support Hours

Your volunteer work qualifies as Support hours when you are volunteering in a non-profit organization, but not directly with disadvantaged people. Examples include:

• Tutoring at an elementary or junior high school
• Child care
• Recreational activities involving children
• Coaching
• Participating in a social justice and human rights events, such as rallies, teach-ins, etc.
• Parish or Church work
• Work with animals
• Environmental work
• Working at museums, community & cultural centers

 

How can you tell if you're doing a Work of Mercy or a Work of Service?

The main difference between the two is in the population that the agency serves. The main criteria will be to ask, "Are the people I am working with disadvantaged or marginalized in any way?" The Community Service Coordinator will be the determiner if you are in doubt about your service.