What counts for service hours? (volunteering with any of the following without pay)
- Hospital volunteer programs
- Pre-approve formation programs
- Catholic Youth on Mission
- Register with your Parish Youth Group!
- Vacation Bible School programs
- CDC/PSR (Sunday School)
- Nazareth House
- Contact Sarah Wisely Houser at (205) 612-6111 or sawisely@gmail.com
- a Catholic apostolate with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Nursing Homes
- Service using animals to help humans (Special Equestrians, Hand in Paw, Forward in Faith Ranch)
- Catholic Charities
- Catholic Center of Concern
- Tutoring with an organization like STAIR
- Donating blood with Red Cross or LifeSouth
- 1 donation = 5 service hours.
- non-profit organizations including but not limited to the following:
**Any service completed at school must be PREapproved by Mr. Cashio, Ms. King, or Coach Steele. Work done for our John Carroll community counts 50%, so 2 hours of work at the school (i.e. volunteering at the summer sports camps) will count for 1 service hour. Write the TOTAL number of hours on the service report and it will be halved when input into RenWeb.
What doesn’t count?
- Any work that is paid
- Activity where there is no adult supervisor present to verify hours
- Working without pay for a for-profit organization
- Helping with your family’s store or restaurant, even if it’s unpaid
- Working with/for members or your family unit
- Work with animals (Humane Society)
- Tutoring friends
How do I check how many hours I currently have on record?
Visit TrackItForward.com > “Log Hours” and you will see your hours on the right side of the page.
When are service hours due?
Service hours are due by September 1st of sophomore, junior, and senior year.
The first set of hours (15 hours) can be completed during or after Freshmen year, and are due no later than September 1st of their Sophomore year. The second set of hours (30 additional hours, 45 total) must be completed and approved by September 1st of their Junior year. The thirst set of hours (30 additional hours as the completion of 75 total hours) must be completed and approved by September 1st of their senior year.
Fulfilling the minimum number of service hours each year is required to graduate from John Carroll Catholic High School.
What if I am a transfer?
Students who transfer after the end of freshman year will be assigned a prorated number of hours by the counseling department or by the service coordinators on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration how much time you have before the start of your senior year.
Basically, if you transfer after the end of your freshman year, your total hours are reduced to 60. If you transfer after the end of your sophomore year, your hours are reduced to 30. If you transfer after the end of your junior year, the service coordinators and counselors will talk you through any hours we feel you still have time to complete.
You are welcome to transfer hours done at previous schools, but we will need verification from supervisors or from the service coordinators at the previous schools before they can count in our system.
Why do my hours have to be with a disadvantaged community? Why can’t I work with my Grandma?
Service to your family does not count because it is a part of your duty as a member of that family. The purpose of our program is to connect with a disadvantaged population in your community outside of your family unit and preferably outside of your comfort zone.
Why can’t I work at the Humane Society?
Our service program is specifically geared towards serving our brothers and sisters in need as the Gospel calls us to do so. If animals are your passion, find a nonprofit that uses animals to help people! If you love your grandma that much, show love to others’ grandparents whose families aren’t as compassionate by serving at your local nursing home!
Does volunteering at a sports camp count?
Serving with sports camps that have a specific mission to serve under resourced populations, (for example, American Baseball Foundation) certainly count. Serving with a John Carroll Camp here on campus falls into the school service category and can earn hours at a 2 to 1 rate. (for example, working 10 hours at a JC summer sports camp earns 5 hours.)
When should I start doing my service hours?
You can begin completing your hours as soon as you begin your freshman year! Most students complete their hours during the summer months, but hours can be done throughout the school year!
How do I get started?
Start with things that spark your interest or that are local to you! You can begin with contacting one of the organizations above, or you can look for non-profits in your community whose missions align with your interests!
- Pray!
- Determine which disadvantaged population you may want to serve.
- Ask yourself, where does this disadvantaged population go get assistance?
- Look at your transportation needs. Will you be able to get to the agency when you are needed?
- Reflect on your personal gifts and talents.
- Consider your future goals. It may possible to volunteer for an agency that would benefit from your future career choice