"Live light, travel light, spread the light, be the light."
– Yogi Bhajan

December 14, 2020

The staff in CSSA would like to wish you a Happy Holidays and best of luck on finals! Thank you all for your dedication to service, social action, and advocacy during this unprecedented year. We look forward to serving with you next year!
Complete the Fall 2020 Service Assessment,
Win some Chipotle!
We need your feedback ...and you may win some Chipotle! During this unprecedented semester, it's very important that we hear from you! Were you involved in weekly service? Please take 5-8 minutes to complete the survey and let us know about your experience.

Complete the Student Assessment HERE and have the chance to win
one of four $25.00 Chipotle gift cards!
Deadline to Apply or Nominate for a 2021 Community Service Award is THIS FRIDAY, December 18!

John Carroll University recognizes and honors individuals who have made a difference in the lives of others through involvement in the community. Click on each award below to learn more about the application and nomination processes and see past winners.

  • In the spirit of St. Edmund Campion, the George B. Sweeney Endowed Campion Award for Community Service recognizes one sophomore student and one junior student each year with a demonstrated record of involvement in community service and social action, dedication to a faith tradition and/or spirituality, and strong evidence of leadership potential. Students - apply now!



Application deadline for all awards is THIS FRIDAY, December 18 by 5:00 pm.

Email service@jcu.edu with questions
Sophomores and Juniors: The 2021 Campion Award for Service Additional Information

This is a one-year, $1,000 award given to one sophomore and one junior each year. The Center for Service and Social Action also administers up to $500 in additional funds to each Campion Award recipient for an approved campus-based service project. Apply today and help John Carroll recognize students who have demonstrated a commitment to service and social justice!

Established in 1996 by JCU alumnus George B. Sweeney ’55, this fund honors John Carroll University students who have made significant service contributions, both on campus and in our larger community and who are committed to becoming leaders in social action. The award is named for St. Edmund Campion, an English Jesuit who was martyred in 1581. Campion rejected a life of prestige, power, and wealth to spend his life in service to others in most need.


2020 recipients Maguire Tausch ’21, and Ray Flannery '22
THANK YOU! Fall 2020 Service has Ended!
Sunday, December 6, marked the last day of service for fall 2020! Thank you to all the students who shared their time, talent, and energy alongside amazing community members and organizations throughout Cleveland this semester!

Over 370 students participated in fall 2020 service! If you are one of those students, remember to complete the end-of-service survey now. Your feedback shapes the future of service at John Carroll. Plus, you could win a $25 Chipotle gift card!
  • Mark you calendar for spring 2020 service registration: January 19 - 22 at jcu.givepulse.com. Students in service-learning courses will register the first week of classes and voluntary service registration will be open the next week
  • Take on a service leadership role! Click HERE to learn about how to become a CSSA Student Liaison!


Did you participate in service this fall? Complete the Student Assessment HERE and have the chance to win
one of four $25.00 Chipotle gift cards!
We are looking for applicants who embrace the JCU mission of being men and women for and with others! As a CSSA representative, Student Liaisons serve as peer service leaders and van drivers as they facilitate a positive service experience for their fellow JCU students. This paid position allows you to do all this and gain professional experience! Federal Work Study eligibility is required. 

Do you have a good driving record and embrace the JCU mission of being a "man or woman for others?" Do you enjoy participating in service and interacting with other students and the community? You can apply to be a student liaison too!

Responsibilities include:
  • Participating in the service activity
  • Serving as a CSSA ambassador for the community partner
  • Transporting students to and from service sites (note: service will be virtual in Spring 2021)
  • Spring 2021: Hosting and facilitating service activities through Zoom

Click HERE to read more and apply!
Questions? Contact CSSA at service@jcu.edu
Gifts Ideas That Make A Difference
Why not give a gift this holiday that can make a difference for someone else? Honor your friends and family by giving a gift in their name or a gift that makes a difference. A few suggestions are noted below. We encourage you to listen to the needs in your community and respond with generosity and thoughtfulness. Be a blessing for others!

  • Fair Trade Certified.  When you give a fair trade gift this holiday season, you're making a conscious choice to support the wellbeing and livelihoods of essential workers, supporting fair and responsible business, and sharing these values with your loved ones. Check out Fair Trade Certified’s Holiday Gift list HERE.

  • JCU's Labre Project.  Donations of warm socks, gloves, hats, toiletries, hand sanitizer, face masks, hand warmers and anti-bacterial wipes are needed.  To make a donation of funds, food, or clothing to Labre, please contact: labre@jcu.edu

  • Famico's Toy Drive. Famicos is asking for donations to provide new toys for children up to age 13 and gift cards for teens 14-18.  Donations can be made through their website https://famicos.org/donate

  • West Side Catholic Center. WSCC is seeking donations of new toys to make Christmas wishes come true. See this link for a wishlist of items needed on their website. You can also directly view and purchase from their Amazon Wishlist and Target Registry.

  • Shop Small. Shop Local. Let your gifts give twice by supporting locally owned small businesses who have been dramatically affected by COVID-19. Consider giving gift cards to local shops and restaurants to make the holidays brighter for all.
Kent Tent City Fire - Request for Assistance
for the Homeless
A tent fire last week destroyed the encampment of homeless persons when one tent in Kent City caught on fire, and the rest quickly followed. Donations are needed to replace tents, sleeping pads, clothing, coats, hats and gloves to address immediate needs. Longer term solutions are also needed to address the causes that contribute to homelessness and housing insecurity. Link to story here.
For additional ways to help, contact Dr. Rosana Miquel at rmiguel@jcu.edu.

To make a donation contact:
Marilyn Sessions, 
C/O Hometown Bank, 
142 N. Water St, Kent OH 44240
(330) 677-6026 ext. 229  
 Catholic Relief Services No-Sew Mask Study Break
Join the Catholic Relief Services Student Ambassadors on Tuesday, December 15 at 5pm for a Finals Week Study Break! We'll be making no-sew masks out of t-shirts! Materials required: a clean t-shirt (used is fine!), scissors, and a flat work space.

Zoom call information: Join Zoom Meeting 
 
Contact Heather at hcraigie@jcu.edu with any questions. Also, be sure to follow the CRS Ambassadors program on Instagram: @crs.jcu  
Follow Us on Social Media!
Get Connected!!

Follow us on social media to get the latest news from CSSA, learn about upcoming opportunities, find ways to stay connected and engaged, read articles by featured students, and to learn about all of the great things happening in the Center for Service and Social Action! We post frequent updates each semester, so be sure to stay tuned in!

Connect with us NOW to join the fun!

Instagram@jcu_cssa




Facebook: @JCUCSSA



Twitter: @jcu_cssa


Our #MyMagisMessage for the week comes from CSSA Student Liaison, Izzy Tolin, a senior Sociology and Criminology and Gender Sexuality Women’s
Studies double major from Willoughby! Izzy has served with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Chopping For Change and Lobo Lab K-3 Story Time.

If you had to state your life mission off the top of your head, in one sentence, what would it be?
Be the voice for others who may not be able to use their
own to help, advocate and be welcoming of all backgrounds.

#MyMagisMessage
My senior year has not brought me the joy of being able to graduate, it brought me questions of where am I destined to be. I have been questioning myself about where I will flourish and be able to be my best self for not only myself but others. I know I am not alone, other seniors I bet feel the same exact way. What are we meant to do in life? The pandemic has been scary for not only me, but my family too. Worrying about loved ones and their safety not only during a pandemic, but everyday. The pandemic has really made me reflect on what I am destined to do in life. I want to be there for others who cannot be there for themselves. This is one positive realization that has come into my life since the pandemic started, and that is I have decided to apply to post-graduate nursing programs so I am able to advocate and help others who may not be able to. I know the pandemic has brought so many fears and other feelings that may be hard for people to get through their everyday lives. Seniors want to be able to walk at graduation, go on an immersion trip or be able to socialize and create lasting memories with friends. My biggest advice I have given to myself is to take this time during the pandemic to really reflect on what is important to me, which is helping and advocating for others. I think it's so important during this time to do what you love. Spend time with the people who mean most to you and really reflect on the memorable moments that keep you going everyday. I challenge each and every person to go do something or be with someone everyday that will make you feel joy and happiness.

Doing service and working for CSSA these past four years has helped me to grow into the person I strive to be. I have been able to open my mind to social justice issues and why advocating so is important. Doing service for and with others is the best thing JCU has helped me continue in my life. It has motivated me to take on a larger role in my future of being a healthcare worker and impacted my future destinations in life. Finding this group of individuals has helped me to build meaningful relationships and ones that will carry me with me for the future. I want to thank everyone who is a part of CSSA and students and faculty for the endless joy and happiness, not only for the past four years but during this unprecedented time.
December 14-18 .... Final Exams - Good Luck!
Tuesday, December 15 .... Catholic Relief Services No-Sew Mask Study Break | 5:00 pm
Friday, December 18 .... 2021 John Carroll Service Award Nominations and Applications Due
December 23 - January 3 .... JCU Closed for Christmas and New Year Break
Tuesday, January 19 .... Spring 2021 Classes Begin
Sunday, January 31 .... Regular Application Deadline for 2021 Summer in the City Internships
Sr. Katherine Feely, SND, Ed.D  | Director |   kfeely@jcu.edu   | 216.397.1966
Heather Craigie | Assistant Director, Student Development & Logistics|hcraigie@jcu.edu |216.397.6233
John Jackson  | Assistant Director, Community Partnerships | jnjackson@jcu.edu  |  216.397.1662
Carolina Kane |  Marketing Specialist |  cxkane@jcu.edu | 216.397.2024
Amy Bartter  |  Administrative Assistant |  abartter@jcu.edu  |  216.397.4698
Blake Yoho '22G  | Graduate Assistant |  byoho22@jcu.edu | 216.397.6283
JCU Center for Service and Social Action
Administration Building | AD-32
216.397.4698 |  (f) 216.397.1661

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