Many organizations, agencies and groups are looking for good people to perform community service. The Office of Campus Ministry matches students, who have the desire to serve others, with one of our community partners who need their help. We can identify a placement according to your interests, major or career.
Why do Community Service?
A good way to find an answer is to ask yourself these questions:
- Who am I?
- How do I want to live my life?
- What gifts and talents do I have?
- What are the needs of the world and how can I use my gifts and talents to meet them?
- How do faith and belief in God intersect with my life, my choices, my plans, my decisions, and my behavior?
Your answers will lead you through discernment. This is a process of the heart through which you define your personal response to a call.
Campus ministers are available to help you throughout this process. Please feel free to stop by Campus Ministry in OM 207 to learn more about the many service opportunities available. Campus Minister Joe Van Volkenburg is dedicated to working with students on local volunteer placements.
Service Opportunities:
Canisius for Buffalo
Campus Ministry’s local service program helps students and others in the college community get involved in service to, and with, the Buffalo community. Places like Benedict House, Habitat for Humanity, Journey's End Refugee Services, Little Portion Friary, Lutheran Church Home, St Augustine’s and St Monica’s Scholars Programs (Jesuit middle schools), South Buffalo Community Table and many others. Campus Ministry offers service internships to several students for the academic year. These paid internships give students the opportunity to serve throughout the community and educated the campus about their sites. Check out what the 2007-2008 interns had to say about their placements.
Service Trips
Canisius students serve the needs of others all over the world. The Office of Campus Ministry organizes annual service trips to New York City, Appalachia, New Orleans and other urban areas, as well as Mexico, Jamaica, India, Poland and El Salvador.
Volunteer after graduation
Spend the year following your graduation from Canisius in service to others. There are many worthy causes that need your help.
Community Day
Campus Ministry coordinates several community service events throughout the academic year. Canisius Community Days are very popular. Clubs, honor societies, fraternities and sororities are welcome to join these events as a group. Community Days will be held:
September 19, 2009
November 21, 2009
April 2010
Contact Joe at x2875 or vanvolkj@canisius.edu for more information.