The purpose of the Student Volunteer Center (SVC) is to enhance volunteer opportunities by establishing a cooperative effort between the community and EIU, encouraging a heightened awareness toward social responsibility and promoting practical service learning experiences integrating Catholic Social Teaching.
Catholic social teaching is a central and essential element of our faith. It is a teaching founded on the life and words of Jesus Christ, who came "to bring glad tidings to the poor . . . liberty to captives . . . recovery of sight to the blind"(Lk 4:18-19), and who identified himself with "the least of these," the hungry and the stranger (cf. Mt 25:45).
Catholic social teaching is built on a commitment to the poor. This commitment arises from our experiences of Christ in the eucharist.
We are called to reach out and to build relationships of love and justice.
Every person, from the moment of conception to natural death, has inherent dignity and a right to life consistent with that dignity. Human dignity comes from God, not from any human quality or accomplishment.
In our relationship with God we experience the conversion of heart that is necessary to truly love one another as God has loved us.
---from Catholic Social Teaching: Challenges and Directions.
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After School Program
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Volunteers work to develop young children ages 4-12 with active and creative minds, a sense of understanding and compassion for others, and the courage to act on their beliefs. Attention is given to the total development of each child: spiritual, moral, intellectual, social, emotional, and physical. For more information, contact Alyssa Reynolds at amreynolds2@eiu.edu or Olivia Dziedzninskyj oadziedzinskyj@eiu.edu
Alternative Spring Break
Students, faculty, and community members spend one week serving others in areas throughout the United States. The various sites offer such opportunities as building or remodeling houses, working with the homeless, working with children, serving immigrants, and working to maintain natural areas.
ASB 2012 LIGHTING THE WAY
Only $150 if you register by Wednesday, Feb. 1 ($175 after)
Fee includes: transportation, meals on site, site fees/donation,
housing, a send-off dinner, welcome back party, and a T-shirt!
HELP THE POOR!
Catholic Worker @ Akron, OH Learn more http://www.catholicworkerakron.org
Glenmary Farm @ Vanceburg, KY Leran more http://www.glenmary.org
CARE FOR NATURE!
Land Between The Lakes @ Golden Pond, KY Learn more http://www.lbl.org
RE-BUILD HOMES!
Christian Appalachian Project @ Mckee, KY Learn more http://www.chrisapp.org
Habitat For Humanity @ Jackson, MS Learn more http://www.habitatjackson.org
Habitat For Humanity @ Maryville, TN Learn more http://www.blounthabitat.org
Habitat For Humanity Coles County, IL Learn more http://www.colescountyhabitat.net
WORK WITH CHILDREN!
Big Oak’s Boys Ranch @ Gadsen, AL Learn more http://www.bigoak.org (FULL)
Operation Breakthrough @ Kansas City, MO Learn more http://www.operationbreakthrough.org(FULL)
YMCA Sioux @ Dupree, ND Learn more http://www.siouxymca.org(FULL)
Big Oak’s Girls Ranch @ Springville, AL (FULL)
LOVE THE SICK!
L'Arche Community @ Mobile, AL Learn more http://www.larchemobile.org
Gesundheit Institute @ Arlington, VA Learn more http://www.patchadams.org(FULL)
Project Lazarus @ New Orleans, LA (FULL)
APPLICATIONS
AT THE STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE (2nd Floor UNION).
AT THE GATHERING SPACE AT THE NEWMAN CATHOLIC CENTER.
Printable PDF version ASB 2012 Application
Amigos and Friends
Tuesday and Thursday at 10:00pm
Volunteers work to embrace our non-English-speaking community by teaching English as a second language. We provide extended support to our students and understand the cultural and educational differences that may obstruct the learning process. As an open-minded and accepting organization, all individuals are encouraged to participate in the program as students or as teachers. For more information, contact Stephanie Cascio slcascio@eiu.edu
Mission Trips
In the spirit of solidarity and compassion for the downtrodden, students are encouraged to participate in mission trips to various locations in and outside of the United States. Past groups have traveled to New Orleans, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Mexico, and Haiti offering their hands and hearts in an effort to work for justice and peace. Opportunities will be advertised on a regular basis.
Nursing Home Visits
Fridays at 3 pm
Volunteers enjoy time with seniors through going for walks, playing games, reading with them, singing, sharing meals, and good conversation. For more information, contact Doris at volunteer@eiunewman.org.