Employees and students are encouraged to continue the great
mission of St. Vincent de Paul by integrating service to the poor
into both academic and employment experiences at St.
John’s. Some of the ways you may choose to engage
students through service are to participate in the following:
- Founder's Week Celebration
At the end of January, to coincide with the Anniversary of
the Founding of the Congregation of the Mission on January 25, the
University organizes a full week of events. This week helps us to
deepen our understanding of the Vincentian mission of St. John’s
University and to celebrate the many ways that our Vincentian
heritage continues to guide our entire University community. Find
out more about our Founder’s Week
celebration opportunities.
- University Service Day
On the fourth Saturday in September, in celebration of the Feast
of St. Vincent de Paul, St. John’s organizes a University-wide Service Day. This
annual event unites the University family on all campuses in
volunteer efforts at service sites throughout the community.
To participate, contact the Office of Mission in Queens at (718)
990-3004.
- St. John’s Bread and
Life
Employees and students can volunteer in the Bread
and Life Soup Kitchen in Brooklyn. On Monday
afternoon, students can volunteer in the Mobile Soup Kitchen
from 12:30pm to 2:30pm. On Fridays, employees can
volunteer for Friday in the Soup Kitchen from 9:30am to
1:30pm. For information, contact Andrew Scott
in Campus Ministry at (718) 990-8075. You can
also learn more by visiting the Bread and Life web
site.
- Walks/Runs
Members of the University community participate in several
fund-raising walks throughout the year including the Good Friday
Walk for the Homeless, the American Cancer Society’s “Making
Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk in October and the St. Mary's
Children's Hospital Annual Walk in May. Look for
announcements in the Web
Digest.
- Sponsor a Family
Sponsored through St. John’s Bread and Life, this holiday
program helps and assists families in need in the Bedford
Stuyvesant, Bushwick, and Williamsburg communities.
Volunteers can lend services by sponsoring, feeding, and providing
toys for families in these areas. Contact Campus Ministry at
(718) 990-1363 to volunteer or make a donation.
- Hunger Awareness Month
Participate in events each November as we fight world
hunger through activities that raise awareness. Look for the
Campus Ministry events
online.
- Ozanam Nursing Home
St. John's students spend time with the elderly by engaging in
conversation, reading and playing board games with the residents of
Ozanam Hall of Queens. Find out more by calling (718)
990-6465 or 5058.
- Annual St. Baldrick's & Locks of
Love Event
Every year, our St. John’s community
comes together to raise awareness in the fight against childhood
cancer for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Participants are
asked to raise money, and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the
St. Baldrick’s Foundation. As part of our solidarity with the
children who suffer with cancer, anyone who participates is asked
to shave his/her head. For those who wish not to shave
his/her head, Locks of Love is also represented, where one can
donate his/her “locks” in support. It happens every March –
and it’s never too early (or late!) to get involved. Please feel
free to contact Angela Seegel at seegela@stjohns.edu or
718-990-2680.
For over 30 years, the St. John’s
University community has walked in solidarity for hunger and the
homeless for those most in need at the Annual Walk for the
Homeless. It takes place every Good Friday– and is open to
ALL students, faculty, administrators,
staff, alumni and all of our family and friends. Join us as
we meet at St. Thomas More Church on the Queens campus to check-in
and commence our walk in the surrounding community, ending at
Marillac Terrace Cafeteria to share a simple meal of soup and bread
in keeping with the spirit of the day. Check us out on YouTube from
the 2010
Walk for Homeless To find out more, contact: Jim
Walters at 718-990-6327 or waltersj@stjohns.edu
or Angela Seegel at 718-990-2680 or seegela@stjohns.edu.
Staten Island Campus, contact: Melissa Gibilaro at 718-390-4497 or
gibilarm@stjohns.edu.
Additionally, you are encouraged to serve together with students
and support various fundraising activities, blood drives and
collections for the poor organized by the Office of
Community Relations, Student Life, and Campus
Ministry.
The Service Opportunities Council was created by the University Vincentian Mission
Council to encourage all members of the University community -
students, faculty, administrators and staff, as well as our
extended community of alumni and retired employees - to make a
personal commitment to serve others, in particular people lacking
economic, physical or social advantages.
As you can see, the options for engaging
with students through service are everywhere.