High School / Pre-College

The Community Service major lets compassionate young adults join together to make meaningful contributions to the greater Philadelphia region. The program helps students find a role in the world of social action, while stimulating their desire to continue giving back after they return home. Whether you are passionate about keeping families off the street or interested in touching a child’s life, our daily service projects will expand your understanding of human relations.

See How the World Lives

The Community Service major combines hands-on experience with need-to-know facts. Each week will begin with an introduction to an issue such as poverty, homelessness, disease or hunger. The program leader and guest speakers from local universities and community nonprofit organizations will examine how these issues affect the local community and the world at large, and familiarize students with the sites they will visit. Tuesday through Friday, you will challenge yourself at various locations in and around Philadelphia. Whether serving lunch in a soup kitchen, reading to a young child or sharing a smile with a person in need, you will make a positive impact. Each day the program leader will give you and your fellow students opportunities to share your experiences in dynamic group discussions as you assess the effectiveness of your service.

Recognize. Commit. Act.

The Community Service major will let you experience the front lines of community activism and today’s most important social issues:

• Children’s shelters and orphanages
• Poverty and hunger
• Soup kitchens
• Food distribution centers
• Educational facilities
• Nonprofit organizations
• Homelessness
• Health, advocacy and community

Last summer we were pleased to work with the following organizations:

• Philabundance
• Northlight Community Center
• Keystone Hospice
• JCC Stiffel Senior Center
• CampPALS.
• Bala Retirement

At the end of the session, students will work together to plan a fundraiser for a local charity of the group’s choosing. It’s your event from start to finish, and its success will depend entirely on your efforts!