The
Volunteer Programs Office is designed to assist in the development of people who are knowledgeable of self, rooted in faith, educated in mind, compassionate in heart and responsive to social and civic obligations in an ever-changing world. We do this by calling forth the intellectual potential of the students, nurturing one’s spiritual and moral growth and deepening in them a sense of social and civic responsibility. By immersing students in a variety of opportunities, both locally and abroad, we deepen in them a commitment to use their gifts and talents to promote the common good of society and recognition of the worth of every human being.
- Project STRONG - One all-girls group and one all-boys group of 5th graders
- Mi Amigo - 2nd-5th grade students
- Prep Pals - 6th-8th grade students\
- AMP - 6th-8th grade students (See description below.)
- Competitive Edge - Athlete mentor program for 8th graders
- Read to Succeed - English learners program
- Project Learn - Group mentoring, all ages
One Shots (
one-time service opportunities)
- Hunger Programs - Soup kitchens, food pantries
- Environmental Programs - Community gardens, clean-up days, read-alouds
- Fundraisers, Holiday Programs, and Drives - Clothing, food, hygiene products, books, school supplies
Service Clubs
Academic Mentor Program
The Academic Mentoring Program (AMP), funded by the Zimmerman Foundation, is designed to encourage middle school students to maintain academic success with the support and assistance of college students. The goal of the program is to pair two 6th-grade students at John Winthrop School with one Sacred Heart University mentor for what would be the beginning of a three-year commitment on the part of both mentor and mentee. The intent is that students reach higher levels of achievement so they can eventually complete high school with a strong academic foundation. College students working as mentors provide young students with an exposure to the possibilities within learning and higher levels of education.
Service-Based Work Study
Students who are eligible for Federal Work study may apply to use it to work in a Bridgeport school or non-profit agency. Students can work as teacher’s assistants during the school day, in an after-school program, as a van driver or in a position in the Volunteer Programs Office.
The Lighthouse Program is a state-of-the-art after school educational and recreational program in partnership with community-based organizations and the Bridgeport public schools. Over 3,000 children are seen daily with enrichment activities that support school day learning. Sacred Heart University has partnered with the Lighthouse Program to provide quality after school and summer programming to youth in grades K-8. Our service-based work-study program supports these sites by facilitating a safe environment that compliments school day learning and fosters intellectual, cultural, physical, social and emotional development of children. Sacred Heart serves as providers for the following schools: Bryant, Columbus, John Winthrop, Geraldine Johnson and Discovery Magnet.
Reflection
Candlelight Prayer is a student-led prayer service that creates an environment for students to share their experiences in the realm of service and social justice. Students are invited to reflect on their relationships both spiritually and with the communities they are now a part of. The service takes place by candlelight and consists of brief reflections around a particular theme, contemporary music and private reflection. Candlelight Prayer takes place every other Tuesday in the Chapel of the Holy Spirit. All religions, faiths and beliefs are welcome.
Opportunities for reflection are also integrated into immersion weeks, service trips, and other volunteer activities.
Leadership and Scholarship
We are proud to have a large number of students looking to enhance their leadership skills throughout their time at Sacred Heart. Students lead immersion weeks, mission trips and weekly volunteer groups that work in soup kitchens, at park clean-ups, animal shelters, and schools through our Read Aloud program.
Each year we award scholarships to upper class students of $1,000-2,500 who are active volunteers in the community!
Mission Trips
Sacred Heart University has made a long-standing commitment to the people of El Salvador and Mississippi. Every year, delegations of 15-20 students travel to these regions to serve and to learn. New mission trips are happening all the time, so stay tuned.
Immersion Weeks
Immersion weeks are community service-based weeks that include many different volunteer and faith-based experiences within the Bridgeport community.
Community Connections
Community Connections is an orientation program led by senior students and involving faculty and staff. It provides an introduction to various service opportunities in the surrounding community and increases students’ understanding of urban issues. First-year students and upperclass leaders, together with faculty and staff members, spend six days at St. Charles Catholic Urban Center in Bridgeport, and Golden Hill Methodist Church, where they work together to renovate Habitat for Humanity houses, serve people at the Merton House (soup kitchen) and share time with urban children and parents. Students may help run a sports program at a neighborhood community center, do Read- Aloud programs at a nearby school or work on a park project. Students work at sites that have already hosted Sacred Heart University volunteers.
CURTIS Week
Curtis Week, named for the University’s founder, Bishop Walter Curtis, is an immersion week that occurs the week prior to Spring Break. Students live at St. Charles Urban Center within the city of Bridgeport, and participate in service activities that promote diversity.