Service Learning
Service is an integral component to Catherine McAuley’s mission to reach out to persons who are poor, sick and who live on the margins of society. For this reason, Service Learning stands as a living legacy of our Foundress to be handed down to all who belong to the Mercy community.
Three years of religion classes build the foundation for Mercy’s Service Learning program. Seniors choose a service site that they will visit throughout the year for in-depth, personal and formative experiences. They build relationships at the organization, developing empathy and reflecting on their experiences.
At Mercy, we believe that service is an important part of character development and Service Learning is a fundamental part of the religion curriculum. It is a method of teaching, learning and reflecting that combines academic classroom curriculum with meaningful service throughout the community. Service learning is experiential education, integrating meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach involvement in the community and participation in the world. Students are challenged to explore both personal and social morality, and each girl reflects on the responsibilities of being part of the human community by asking, “What does it mean to live in a society?” And on a personal level, “What is my unique role and contribution?”
Service Opportunities
Urban Plunge is an overnight service experience where students work in urban areas of San Francisco, connecting with youth, elderly, low-income and immigrant individuals.
Saturdays of Service are opportunities offered locally throughout the year in various areas of need.
Immersion Trips offer the opportunity to attend to the needs of a variety of people including low income families, at risk youth, persons with disabilities and immigrant farm workers.