Santa Clara University

Staff Community Service In The Jesuit Tradition

This is a collaborative effort initiated by staff at Santa Clara University to encourage greater involvement of university staff in community service.

Pilot Program participants from left: Aida Hamshari, University Finance Office; Sandra Figueroa, Office of Marketing and Communications; and Paul Woolley, Ignatian Center. (Carol Rondeau, Chemistry Department, not pictured here, also participated.)

In academic year 2005-06 four Santa Clara University staff members participated in the Staff Community Service Pilot Program. Three participants are pictured at left. These staff provided over 85 hours of service on behalf of the university to three San Jose community service agencies. Sandra Figueroa contributed her time to tutor students in the computer literacy program at Sacred Heart Community Services. Aida Hamshari served meals to the needy at Martha’s Kitchen. Carol Rondeau helped at Loaves and Fishes where they served about 200 people per meal. Paul Woolley prepared bags of food every Friday morning for distribution to the needy at Sacred Heart Community Services pantry.

The primary goal of the program is to provide a one-time, introductory experience for staff new to community service in the hope that this experience will provide the incentive to continue participating in community service on their own. One core provision of the program is 40 hours of paid release time on a one-time basis for staff to complete the community service.