Community Service

Christian Service In Depth

San Juan Diego Catholic High School is committed to serving our community through prayer and action. Serving others is a requirement of the Christian faith and is rooted in our belief that we are all members of the Body of Christ. Our students donate countless hours of service to members of local and extended communities. However, there is one major difference that separates our school from many others - our students donate their time because they want to do it; not because they have to do it. 

Honors recognition will be awarded to those students who earn 140 hours of service by April 1st of their Senior year. Those students requesting this distinction must also submit a letter of recommendation attesting to their Christian character by someone from their community (outside of SJDCHS). This person may not be a relative. The letter of recommendation must be submitted to the Campus Minister by April 15th.

Each of the following applies:

• Service hours will not be given for Scout activities, NHS activities, Confirmation activities, or any school-related activities unless pre-approved by SJDCHS. 
• Students may not miss school to earn service hours unless it is an SJDCHS-sponsored Immersion activity.
• Students will not be credited more than 5 hours on a school night or 7 hours on a non-school day.
• Service hours must be submitted within 1 month of volunteering. Hours completed in the summer must be submitted no later than September 15th. 
• Students may earn up to 5 service hours per school year for being active members at their home parish's altar server ministry.  
• Students may earn up to 5 service hours per school year for being an active member of the SJDCHS Student Government, Student Ambassadors or Campus Ministry leadership.  
• Students may not earn service hours for being the manager of an SJDCHS sports team.
• Service hours must be completed in person (not virtually).
• No more than 15 hours can be earned per school year at any one service event or project.

Direct Service:

The service performed by students must be direct service, in which students personally encounter those in need and offer their presence and generosity. Also, students may engage in service that directly supports the environment. Further, students are encouraged to participate in their local parishes or faith communities. The following are examples of acceptable direct service: reading to the elderly in a nursing home, working in a soup kitchen, picking up litter in a park, and teaching religious education classes. SJDCHS students are expected to become engaged and active in the community. Thus, hours will not be recognized for helping out family members/friends (e.g., babysitting or yard work). Assisting in school-related activities (e.g., a school fundraiser, an open house, a parent association event, etc.) is expected.

Documentation:

For each service event, students are required to turn in a completed Service Hours Documentation Form to the Assistant Principal. Without this documentation, the service hours will not be counted.

Questions:

Questions concerning acceptable service, volunteer opportunities, documentation, or anything related to the Christian Service Hours program should be directed to Ms. Flores.

Example of Community Service Opportunities: 

Please call the contact number to find out their procedures and times for volunteering.

Please note: We encourage you to participate in other service opportunities not listed here. However, any additional opportunities not listed here in which you would like to participate need to be approved by the Assistant Principal in advance to be reviewed to ensure that they meet service guidelines.

1. Austin Pets Alive 
   1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, TX 78703
   Phone: (512) 961-6519
   www.austinpets alive.org 
    
2. PAWS Shelter of Central Texas 
   500 FM 150 East, Kyle, Texas 78640
   Phone: (512) 268-1611
   www.pawsshelter.org/volunteer/
    
3. San Jose Catholic Church 
   2435 Oak Crest Avenue, Austin, TX 78704
   Main Office Phone: (512) 444-7587
   RE Office Phone: (512) 444-4664
    
4. Santa Cruz Catholic Church. 
   1100 Main St, Buda, TX 78610 
   Phone: (512) 312-5280
    
5. Mobile Loaves and Fishes: 
   St. John Neumann. 903 S Capital of TX Hwy., Austin, TX 78746
   Phone: (512) 306-8036
   www.sjnaustin.org. 
    
6. Community First! Volunteers with Mobile Loaves and Fishes: 
   9301 Hog Eye Road, Suite 950, Austin, TX 78724
   Phone: (512) 328-7299
   www.serve.mlf.org/
    
7. Capital Area Food Bank of Texas
   8201 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78745
   Phone: (512) 282-2111
   www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/
    
8. Texas Alliance for Life
   8000 Centre Park Dr #380, Austin, TX 78754
   Phone: (512) 477-1244
   www.texasallianceforlife.org/
    
9. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store 
   1327 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78704
   Phone: (512) 442-5652: 
    
10. Society of St. Vincent de Paul Parish Food Pantry 
    Check with the following parishes: San Jose, Santa Cruz, Saint Catherine of Siena, or St. Anthony’s for food pantry hours and service opportunities.