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Service Learning
What is Service-Learning?
Service-learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.*
Service-learning:
- Meets a community identified need.
- Links to academic content.
- Is reciprocal in nature, benefiting students, faculty and the community.
- Can be used in any subject area so long as it is appropriate to learning goals.
- Incorporates reflection activities as a key component in the learning process.
* National Service Learning Clearninghouse
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Why does St. Anthony Foundation have a service-learning program?
By incorporating service-learning experiences into our Justice Education Program, St. Anthony Foundation educates the community at large about some of the issues individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness face on a regular basis.
Partnering with St. Anthony Foundation allows students and faculty to apply real world experiences. This supports learning that takes place in the classroom.
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What kind of service activities can students and faculty be involved with?
Service-learning positions are dependent not only on the desire of the prospective student, but equally on the needs of St. Anthony Foundation and the availability of appropriate staff to provide supervision. We hope that your experience with us will not only contribute to your classroom learning but also to the partnership between faculty, students and community organizations.
Click here to see our current volunteer opportunities brochure.
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How can faculty get involved?
Prior to recommending students to work with St. Anthony Foundation, faculty are encouraged to contact the Education Outreach Coordinator to discuss SAF’s program needs and possible relevancy to course content. By contacting us in advance we can adequately prepare to work with you and your students; last minute requests for service opportunities are extremely difficult to arrange.
Having the opportunity to speak with faculty is especially important in helping to make appropriate student placements and can save students, faculty and our organization considerable time and effort throughout the duration of our partnership.
For more information please contact the Education Outreach Coordinator, Megan Pippet, at mpippet@stanthonysf.org or at (415) 592-2728.
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How can students get involved?
Students are encouraged to discuss their interest in partnering with St. Anthony Foundation with their faculty prior to contacting us. This helps ensure an appropriate service match.
If you think the learning objectives of your course will be enhanced through service in one of SAF’s program areas please note the following:
1. Please be flexible! Most service opportunities are available Monday-Friday during business hours. Weekend and evening opportunities may be available as well. Please allow for extra flexibility in your schedule to ensure adequate time (and energy!) for an enriching service-learning experience.
2. Attend a service-learning orientation. Orientations are required and provide service-learners with information about the programs, history and services of St. Anthony Foundation and explain guidelines and expectations for participants. Orientations are arranged individually with faculty and students at the beginning of each semester.
3. Complete a Service-Learning Intake Form. A copy of this form is available here. Please complete the form electronically and send it to mpippet@stanthonysf.org
4. Start your Service! After participating in an orientation and completing the required paperwork, you’ll be ready to start your service! Please remember that our guests, staff and other volunteers are relying on your commitment to serving during the days and times you’ve arranged.
5. Prepare to Present! Final presentations allow students to share their service-learning experience with fellow classmates, SAF and school staff as well as invited guests. Final presentations are also a valuable assessment tool for faculty and St. Anthony Foundation staff.
6. We’re here to help! Remember that SAF staff are always available to help answer questions and concerns you may have about your service. We hope you will use us as resource to deepen your partnership with the people we serve.
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What about reflection and evaluation?
Reflection is an integral part of the service-learning experience and helps to bridge the learning that happens in the classroom and at St. Anthony Foundation. Reflection may take place both in the classroom and at St. Anthony Foundation. Service-learners are expected to be prepared to share their experiences and be willing to share classroom assignments with SAF staff.
In addition, students must complete a final evaluation of their service-learning experience. Click here for a sample evaluation form from previous semesters.
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How to get involved?
To get started and sign-up for orientation please contact Megan Pippet, Education Outreach Coordinator, at mpippet@stanthonysf.org or call (415) 592-2728. Click here for a PDF version of our program information sheet for students and faculty.
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