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Image Credit: Tina at https://www.instagram.com/selebrateyou/  
Jesuit Week of Service (JWOS)
Jesuit Week of Service – Keep the Magis Alive
Be a part of this historic moment! Calling all John Carroll students, faculty, staff, alumni, and incoming first year students to join us. For over 15 years, Jesuit Day of Service has called us to be men and women with and for others. In this unique moment, we have the opportunity to come together to serve our community in new and creative ways!

Participate in this unique opportunity through daily challenges such as:
• Record yourself reading a favorite children’s book
• Write a letter to someone experiencing social isolation
• Advocate on a community issue with a local representative
• Share a message on what makes you feel connected to your community
• Participate in a virtual food drive
• Watch a quick video from our community partners

We will provide all the details you need to engage with the community and your JWOS team in a whole new way!

How it works
  • Register now with your name and email HERE
  • Before Day 1, you will receive an introductory email with the schedule for the week
  • From Monday, April 20 through Saturday April 25, you will receive daily emails containing activities and challenges
  • Participate in as many or as few activities and challenges as you want. Share your activities with us on social media and online
  • On Saturday, April 25, we will celebrate our communities and our collective service

Register HERE for JWOS!
Challenge of the Week: Write Letters to Senior Citizens, Continued
Write letters to uplift senior citizens during this period of social distancing! Seniors are one of the most vulnerable populations to the virus. Social distancing has led older adults to be isolated from their loved ones. It’s extremely important during this time to ensure that seniors are positively engaged and supported during COVID-19.

Write letters to residents at Eliza Bryant Village, a senior care facility and one of JCU's community partners. If you feel comfortable, share your own address so that seniors write you back. You can also put CSSA's address in the return section if you would rather not share your own address.

Letters to Eliza Bryant can be sent to:

Eliza Bryant Village
Attn. Joan Palumbo
7201 Wade Park Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44103

Some tips:
  • Embrace creativity! Share a poem or insert a small drawing into the letter.
  • Pretend that you're in the room actually talking with them. Make your letters detailed, thoughtful and heartfelt.
  • Be kind and thoughtful (more than talking about yourself). You might not receive a letter back, so remember that the possibility of no reciprocation attached is part of the beauty of your act of kindness. Also, the recipients will not feel burdened by feeling obligated or being unable to respond during this time.
  • Be encouraging and uplifting - make the letters cheerful to put the seniors in good moods.
  • Share your act of kindness! On social media, tag @jcu_cssa on Instagram and use hashtags #servecle and #jcucssa so we can see your work!

Our weekly challenges provide a way for you to stay involved with the community from home. Start your challenge now!
Challenge 2: Support Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Staff
Join Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM) in supporting and appreciating the on-site essential 2100 Lakeside Men's Shelter staff. CSSA challenges you to get creative and find ways to show LMM appreciation. For example, design signs, posters, or thank you notes (scan them in, then the shelter will print them in color and posts on shelter the walls). The cards will be printed in large font and posted around the shelter. Email CSSA at service@jcu.edu with your design and ideas and we will send them over to LMM!
Advocate for the Homeless
People experiencing homelessness are some of the most vulnerable members of our society during this time. Write a letter to Congress to include emergency funds for homelessness in coronavirus response. Express to your Member of Congress that it’s essential to provide funds to homelessness and housing programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are from another state, then you can fill out the form twice-- once with your JCU address and again with your home address--in order to send the letter to the Congresspeople of both states.

Send your letter HERE
Learn: TED Talk of the Week
Watch the TED Talk HERE
How to be your best self in times of crisis, Presented by Susan David
"Life's beauty is inseparable from its fragility," says psychologist Susan David. In a special virtual conversation, she shares wisdom on how to build resilience, courage and joy in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. Responding to listeners' questions from across the globe, she offers ways to talk to children about their emotions, keep focus during the crisis and help those working on the front lines.
Magis Message: Calvin Long '19
Your Magis Message for the day comes from Calvin Long, Class of 2019.

"Remember that you live in a world that is filled to the brim with immediacy, and it is normal for others to expect you to have confidence and certainty, even when you are tired, and you are just not sure how to feel. But whenever you feel the weight of having to have everything figured out, do not be discouraged. You are still free to cling to what is true: even in your unknowns, Light is still guiding you, and no matter your uncertainty, you are being led where you need to be." - Morgan Harper Nichols

Click HERE to view Calvin's message!
Reflection of the Week: Nick Hupka on working with People Experiencing Homelessness
"The life lessons that I learned were numerous."

"Being able to sit and have a meal with someone is a great way to grow a relationship, and that is what happened! The JCU van made friends that we looked forward to seeing each week that we visited 2100 Lakeside."

Read Nick's full reflection HERE.
Stay Engaged and Connected Virtually!
Explore our new we bsite  at  https://www.cssaengagecle.org/   to find ways to stay connected, get involved from home, and continue to advocate for social justice.  We will be adding new content weekly!  Explore our website to learn how you can stay engaged and connected with others!
Don't forget to stay connected through Instagram! Follow CSSA on Instagram to  get the latest news and updates from CSSA, learn about self-care resources, participate in weekly challenges, learn about ways to stay involved from home, read motivational pieces and get links to TED Talks, and hear from our featured students about service in the Center for Service and Social Action!  Follow  @jcu_cssa  on  Instagram   now!
Sew Masks for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry AND Hospital Workers
Due to the limited number of medical supplies, hospital staff are relying on donations to get by. Many nurses and doctors are wearing the same masks all day because of shortages. Local hospitals are currently accepting donations of handmade masks to help with the shortages. 

Do service at home by sewing face masks for caregivers and visitors. University Hospitals requests your help and so does LMM. UH Hospitals has provided the pattern HERE for masks they will use. 

Additionally, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is looking for volunteers to sew face masks for clients and staff, and for off-site spaces where clients are now staying. LMM has filters which would be inserted into masks. This is a strong need of the shelter now.

If you are interested in finding out more on how to help LMM, contact Lydia Bailey, Coordinator of Volunteers at LBailey@lutheranmetro.org so she can provide you with more information and send along helpful details.

Masks can be dropped off or mailed to LMM at:

Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Men's Shelter
2100 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Attention: David Blunt, Operations Director

Learn how to make a mask HERE.
JCU Student Food Pantry is Open
The JCU Student Food Pantry will remain open and available for any student who needs it. Contact the office of Residence Life M-F 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m for the key and they will be happy to provide it. You can contact Residence Life at 216-397-4008 or email jcureslife@jcu.edu .
We are lookling 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!

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
  • Ensuring accurate attendance records
  • Providing pertinent information to CSSA staff members
  • Attending mandatory training sessions
  • Facilitating reflection

Click HERE   to read more and apply!
Questions? Contact CSSA a t   service@jcu.edu
University Hospitals 2020-2021 Volunteer Opportunity
The University Hospitals Rainbow Center for Women and Children is looking for volunteers to help with their Rainbow Connects program. This program was developed to address needs such as food insecurity, utility assistance, clothing, baby supplies, etc.

Volunteers will screen patients and families for resource needs and direct them to helpful community resources and when possible, follow up about any additional needs. 

The weekly commitment is 3-4 hours onsite and you must sign up for the full 2020-2021 academic year. JCU transportation will not be provided.

Details to apply:

  • Complete the initial screening application found HERE
  • If invited, the second round will be interviews by University Hospitals Rainbow Center for Women and Children professionals. 
  • If selected for a position during the interview, complete all necessary compliance paperwork and training in order to begin your placement in September 2020.

Deadline to apply is Wednesday, April 22!

Questions? Contact CSSA at  service@jcu.edu.
New Staff Member in CSSA
We would like to give a warm welcome to Amy Bartter, our new Administrative Assistant!

Amy joins CSSA with over twenty years of experience in higher education including prior positions with Case Western Reserve University, The Cleveland Institute of Art, and most recently Miami University. Her past responsibilities have been primarily in major gifts fundraising and alumni relations. Amy is originally from Chagrin Falls and is a Miami University graduate. She and her family live in Lyndhurst. Amy is excited to be part of the CSSA team and join the John Carroll family! Welcome Amy!
Arrupe Fundraising for the Cleveland Food Bank
The Arrupe Students in AR150 Hunger and Poverty Advocacy class have started a virtual fundraising campaign though the Greater Cleveland Food Bank as a substitute project for what they had hoped to do on campus. Join the Food Bank in supporting those whose ability to work has been or will be impacted by the pandemic.

Arrupe Scholars have joined the Greater Cleveland Food Bank to fight against hunger by starting a Virtual Food Drive! You can help them reach their fundraising goal by donating to their page and sharing our information with family and friends. All Bluestreaks, past and present, along with their family, friends, and others in their social networks are challenged to consider donating $1, $2, $5, $10 or more to this cause.   $1 buys 4 meal ordinarily, but because of a generous matching gift to the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, it effectively buys 8 meals.

Donate HERE
Fun Fact! I love to knit and crochet!
Our #MYSERVICESTORY for the week comes from Lillia Smyers, a senior International Business major from Pittsburgh, PA!

At which service sites / community partners have you served or been a student liaison?
I have served at Esperanza, St. Francis Philosophy, Lake Erie Ink, and L'Arche.

"This semester I recommitted to Esperanza because I had such an amazing experience last semester. Esperanza is an organization that provides resources and English classes for Spanish-speaking immigrants here in Cleveland. My group's volunteer experiences both last semester and this semester are centered around us actually having a group of students and teaching them English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. However, I quickly learned that the class was so much more than just exchanging language tips and doing lesson exercises. The bond we all created was strong and was based in all of us encouraging each other to push ourselves and to embrace learning together in community. By the end of the experience, I could say with confidence that those I was working with every week were not "my students." They are my friends, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such an amazing organization taught me so much about learning, language, and most of all, people and the commonalities we all share. I am blessed to have an experience that makes me miss service as much as I do."
Each week  we feature stories of students who have made service a cornerstone of their JCU experience. Complete the form below to show us how you #ServeCLE!
We’ll share your story  on social media and in our weekly e-newsletter. If you’re a CSSA student liaison, you’ll earn points for your mentor group!

Submit your service story at  https://jcu.edu/myservicestory
Sr. Katherine Feely  |  Director |    kfeely@jcu.edu    | 216.397.1966
Maryellen Callanan  |  Associate Director |    mcallanan@jcu.edu   |  216.397.2022
Heather Craigie |  Assistant Director, Student Development & Logistics| hcraigie@jcu.edu  |216.397.6233
Lisa Morde |  Assistant Director, Student Engagement & Data Mgmt |  lmorde@jcu.edu  | 216.397.6227
John Jackson  |  Assistant Director, Community Partnerships |  jnjackson@jcu.edu   |  216.397.1662
Carolina Kane |  Administrative Assistant & Marketing Specialist |   cxkane@jcu.edu  | 216.397.2024
Amy Bartter  |   Administrative Assistant |   abartter@jcu.edu   |  216.397.4698
Josefina Moreno '18, '21G  |  Graduate Assistant |   jmoreno18@jcu.edu  | 216.397.6283
Blake Yoho '22G  |  Graduate Assistant |   byoho22@jcu.edu  | 216.397.6283
JCU Center for Service and Social Action
Administration Building | AD-32
Monday-Thursday, 8 am - 8 pm | Friday 8 am - 5 pm
216.397.4698 |  (f) 216.397.1661

Stay Connected!