Catholic colleges place a strong emphasis on community service, as it is a pillar value of the Catholic church and tradition. As such, most Catholic colleges provide many options or opportunities for students to engage in community service.
Many Catholic colleges will have classes dedicated to service learning, where community service is intertwined with the course work. How this looks at specific colleges will vary, but typically the kind of community service will complement the content of the course, aiding students in more hands-on understanding and application of what they are learning. Reflection is also a big part of service learning, as students are encouraged to reflect on their experience and impact.
Campus ministry is also a great place for students to find community service opportunities or even mission trip opportunities, so they can serve different cultures and communities. Some volunteer options through campus ministry may be repeating, or weekly and can look like helping at a food back or local charity. Mission trips are typically offered while classes are on break, and they are a great way for students to serve and learn about other cultures and global issues.
It is not uncommon for Catholic colleges to have student clubs or organizations dedicated to community service. These clubs focus on service and social justice, encouraging and helping their members find places where they can serve and advocate. They may even partner with local or national organizations and non-profits.
Some Catholic colleges have partnerships with organizations and non-profits as well, to offer students opportunities for service through those partnerships. These will often be local groups, to ensure that the students are able to enact meaningful service and meet community needs around them, while also being able to offer long-term service.
These are just some of the ways that Catholic colleges facilitate community service opportunities on campus. Not every Catholic college will offer the same opportunities or approach community service in the same way. To find out what sort of opportunities are available at a specific school, reach out to the admissions department or search the website of the specific Catholic College(s) you are interested in.