Community Service Project (CSP)
St. Louis University High School's Community Service Program (CSP) offers students the opportunity to cultivate their development as "Men for and with Others." This vital - and very popular - program is complemented by SLUH's unique city location, and students provide assistance to more than 30 project sites in the metropolitan area. At St. Louis University High service is not the responsibility of only a few, but is the vocation of all Christians. Our Mission Statement proclaims: "As a Jesuit school dedicated to developing our gifts for the generous service of others, we challenge this group of young men and ourselves to cultivate life-affirming virtues, lively imaginations, critical minds, and compassionate hearts."
A Voluntary Program
Though CSP is not mandatory, more that 375 students participated in the program in 2004-05. This figure, which exceeds one-third of the entire student body, does not include seniors involved in Senior Project (an immersion program required for graduation).
Goals
Interact: Work with, learn from, and serve people different than ourselves.
Cultivate: Develop a sense of personal responsibility for others. We are all blessed with the capacity to be generous. We must develop and realize these God-given gifts.
Realize: The Gospels require we become involved! Faith is not static nor is it about our personal relationships with God alone. Ignatian ideals require that LOVE be demonstrated in deeds more than in words.
Share: SLUH students will share in the mission to bring about a just and equitable society in collaboration with social agencies that share Christ's vision.
CSP Programs
Students volunteer at selected sites throughout the school year as their schedules allow. In some cases "partnering" works best (two students collaborate and share one volunteer spot), especially in programs that require continuity and long-term commitments from volunteers. Partnering guarantees continuity of service within a program and allows students to develop stronger relationships. Many sites are situated within SLUH's immediate or proximate neighborhood within our ethnically, economically, and culturally diverse city environment.
Programs listed on this Web site are organized by populations served and type of service. Categories include: pre-school programs, tutor/mentor programs (elementary school-aged populations), feeding/sheltering programs, senior programs, sports programs, and hospital and nursing facility programs.
Throughout the school year some programs are added and some end...most often by program design. Many program associations begin because of parental and student interest and initiative. The CSP Office is happy to collaborate and assist students and families with this type of program development.
The Pastoral Department manages Days of Service for students. To learn more, click here.
