“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
~ Lilla Watson
Visual artist, activist & educator who has dedicated her life to educating people internationally about Aboriginal knowledge & culture
Ignatian Fellowship
The Ignatian Fellowship (IGF) offers SCU undergraduates the opportunity to deepen their commitment to social justice through an in-person community-based learning experience over the winter quarter. This Fellowship was created in 2020 and is inspired by the Jean Donovan Summer Fellowship which has been offered for 25 years. Ignatian Fellows will participate in a fall quarter formation experience followed by weekly in-person work (5-7 hrs/week) with a non-profit organization for weeks 1-10 of the winter quarter. Concurrent with their service work, Fellows participate in a twice-monthly reflective discussion group. Priority for the Ignatian Fellowship is given to students that have not participated in Fellowships or Immersions through the Ignatian Center.
Learning Objectives
Central to the Ignatian Fellowship are the learning objectives outlined below and the hope that Fellows offer meaningful support to community-based organizations. Fellows may apply to extend their placement into the spring quarter.
ACCOMPANIMENT
Cultivate a greater understanding of the assets and challenges facing the community in which the Fellow works through accompaniment-based service.
SOLIDARITY
Grow in commitment to specific key virtues of solidarity, compassion, and humility.
VOCATION
Develop a broader and deeper understanding of personal vocation.
SPIRITUAL LIFE
Develop a deepened spiritual life.
Ignatian Fellowship Placements
Ignatian Fellowship placements for 2026 focus on youth literacy and mentoring, food insecurity, and legal support. Placement organizations for the Ignatian Fellowship may include: Grail Family Services (YWCR+), Friends for Youth (FFY), Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution, and SCU’s Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center (GKACLC). There may be limited opportunities for Fellows to work with other organizations with whom they have an existing relationship.
Grail Family Services YMCR+
San Antonio Elementary School
1721 E San Antonio Street
San Jose, CA 95116
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Grail Family Services’ Yes We Can… Read! Plus Program (YWCR+) in 2025. YWCR+ provides 10 sessions of 30-minute individual tutoring with 120 TK-1 grade students at San Antonio Elementary School in Eastside San Jose. SCU Fellows serve as mentors, getting to know their tutees and really working in areas of math, literacy, and reading where students are experiencing the greatest challenges. In addition to tutoring, SCU Fellows will be able to support YWCR+ parent engagement and family literacy nights along with other community and program events, as needed.
Fellows make an extended commitment with this placement, working with 5 TK-1 students for 10 weeks to complete ten mentoring sessions for 5 students at either Anthony Dorsa or San Antonio Elementary Schools. The hours to be completed over the Winter Quarter are divided between direct tutoring sessions, admin work, and support with YWCR+ events.
Availability/Transportation:
- SCU Fellows will tutor 5 elementary students over 10 weeks, please note this is a slighted extended commitment. SCU students must be available to tutor through final weeks of Winter Quarter
- SCU students may help out on the playground, support with administrative responsibilities and should attend at least 2 YWCR+/ Grail Family Services family events
- This placement works best for SCU Fellows that can block 6 hours on 1 day or 3-6 hours on 2 days/week (between 8am - 7pm) and have access to a car
- Fellows will start tutoring sessions the week of January 5th and will need to be available to tutor through final exam week (March 16-20).
- Tutoring sessions that occur during the following dates will need to be made up due to SCU Academic holidays and/or Alum Rock Unified School District Closure TBD
- SCU Fellows must have reliable access to a car for this placement
Requirements:
SCU students will be required to complete a background check including fingerprinting, TB test, application for Grail Family Services, mentor training/orientation, and other requirements before the mentor program launch. Additionally, Fellows must be highly motivated, responsible and committed.
Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution
Our Lady of Refuge
2165 Lucretia Ave
San Jose, CA 95122
SCU Fellows will continue their work to support Catholic Charities, a social service and social justice ministry organization dedicated to changing lives for the good. Through its Emergency Food Distribution sites and programs, Catholic Charities works to directly meet the needs of 130,000 people (7% of the population) experiencing food insecurity in Santa Clara County. Ignatian Fellows working with Catholic Charities will engage in this experience as a community traveling together to/from SCU and the food distribution site.
Availability/Transportation:
- SCU Fellows will work at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution site.
- Tuesdays (January 6 - March 10)
- Depart SCU 2:00 PM; Food Distribution 2:30-6:00 PM; Return to SCU 6:30 PM
- SCU students may help out registering clients, packing meals boxes, moving boxes, as determined by Catholic Charities staff.
- Fellows will travel to/from the distribution site together. There are some limited opportunities for Fellows to utilize an Ignatian Center car.
Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC)
KGACLC
1030 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SCUs Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center. KGACLC provides individuals and communities in need with pro bono legal representation and education. Fellows Fellows provide administrative support for the office. Translation skills are a plus. SCU students interested in this placement can designate this in the Fellowship application, and a secondary interview will be arranged with the KGACLC staff.
Transportation: This placement is accessible via Bus 22
Requirements: Requirements of Fellow: Spanish language fluency preferred
Key Dates
APPLICATION PROCESS
Mon | Sept 1
Application Available via Give Pulse!
Wed | Oct 8
IGF App Due
Wed | Oct 1 - Fri | Oct 17
IGF Interviews
Mon | Oct 27
IGF Notification
Fri | Oct 31
IGF Confirmation
FALL QUARTER
Thu | Nov 6 | 6-7:30 PM
Formation Meeting 1
Thu | Nov 13 | 6-7:30 PM
Formation Meeting 2
Thu | Dec 4 | 6-7 PM
IGF Formation Meeting 3
WINTER QUARTER
Thu | Jan 8 | 6-7:30 PM
Formation Meeting
Thu | Mar 5 | 6-7:30 PM
Formation Meeting
TBD (4 group meetings and 1 individual meeting with mentor)
Small Group Reflection
Expectations & Compensation
Fellows will reflect upon and share their experiences through final written reflection and support with Ignatian Center donor stewardship events. Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Meet Former Ignatian Fellows
We are so excited to introduce the 2024-25 ignatian Fellows! These amazing students will be engaging with local communities and selected host-organizations focused on social justice issues.
Read MoreMegan Baldemor '26 | Biochemistry & Neuroscience Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center
Dina Berhan '27 | Biochemistry Major | St. Mary's Eritrean Orthodox Church
Pragna Burra '27 | Management Information Systems Major | United Way Bay Area Free Tax Help
Karla Diaz Fregoso '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | George & Katherine Alexendar Community Law Center (GKACLC)
Kate Dobak '24 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Boscia
Mia Flores '26 | Sociology Major | San Jose Family Shelter
Gabriella Gamarro-Gomez '25 | Mechanical Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Graciella James-Hickey '26 | Political Science & Environmental Studies Major | SCU's tUrn
Erica Julian '24 | Biology & Music Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Anna Keenan '26 | Environmental Science Major | Garden to Table
Elsa Kinney '25 | Biology & Public Health Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center
Angela Lomeli '25 | Political Science & Spanish Studies Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Max Mailloux-Beauchemin '24 | Mechanical Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Celeste Marina Mancilla '26 | Political Science & Spanish Studies Major | Buchser Middle School
Estefana Mejia '27 | Undeclared Major | SCU's tUrn
Stephanie Molina '26 | Sociology & Communication Major | Catholic Charities - Our Lady of Refuge
Alicia Nelson '26 | Psychology Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Arturo Pacheco Martinez '25 | Management & Entrepreneurship Major | Unity Council
Maria Perez '24 | Public Health Science Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Maritza Pinedo '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Cacia Roy '25 | Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Charles Silver '27 | Undeclared Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Allison Thigpen '24 | Sociology Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Sean Tsang '27 | Finance Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Caroline Wing '24 | Communication & Art History Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Suzan Amiri '24 | Philosophy Major | Project Anar
Zoe Barton '24 | Philosophy Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Maile Belnap '24 | Political Science Major | Asian Law Alliance
Mary Clare Broyles '26 | Computer Science & Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Josie Collier '24 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Love Boscia - Immigration Law
Quin Doughty '25 | Environmental Science Major | Garden to Table
Katie Duffy '24 | Economics & Political Science Major | Food Sovereignty SCU & La Mesa Verde
Grace Emmons '23 | Child Studies & Classical Studies Major | St. Leo the Great (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Lily Eribes '23 | Bioengineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Alice Fulton '25 | Psychology Major | College of Adaptive Arts(Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
McKenzie Himes '23 | Neuroscience Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Graciella James '26 | Environmental Studies & Political Science Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Juliet Kulusic '23 | Theatre & Psychology Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Maritza Pinedo '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Gabrielle Pitre '26 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Love Boscia - Immigration Law
C.J. Purdy '23 | Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Sophie Rotter-Aboyoun '23 | Psychology Major | Amigos de Guadalupe
Jugraj Singh '24 | Accounting Information Systems Major | Jakara Movement
Willa Weinsheimer '24 | Political Science Major | Elevate
Grace Yonkers-Talz '24 | Child Studies & Religious Studies Major | tUrn @ SCU
Zoe Barton '24 | Philosophy Major | Elevate Community Center
Sparsh Garg '25 | Computer Science & Business Major | Maitri
Eemon Ghasemiyeh '22 | Philosophy Major | tUrn @SCU
Petra Glenn '23 | Political Science & Economics Major | tUrn @ SCU
Amanda Harvey '22 | Environmenta Studies & Communication Major | tUrn@ SCU
Jules Holland '24 | Political Science & Environmental Studies Major | Bail Project
Zeeshan Javed '22 | Biology Major | Palo Alto VA Medical Center
Catherine Joy '23 | Economics Major | Bay Area Wilderness Training
Arlin Lopez Rivera '22 | Finance Major | Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Samson Lothschutz '23 | Communication Major | Actual Films
Ainsley Mowers '23 |Marketing Major | AAUW San Jose
Madi Moyhihan '25 | Political Science & Philosophy Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Audrey Mullarkey '23 | Political Science & Economics Major | tUrn @ SCU
Isabella Rea '23 | Communication Major | Skills Plus
Reha Shah '23 | Biology & Public Health Major | A Step Ahead Foundation
Jugraj Shoker '24 | Management Information Systems Major | Jakara Movement
Willa Weinsheimer '24 | Political Science & Communication Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Hydeia Wysinger '25 | Psychology & Public Health Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Grace Yonkers-Talz '24 | Child Studies & Religious Studies Major | tUrn @ SCU
Daniel Antillon '21 | Psychology & English Major | Action Alliance International
Afton Burrell '21 | Biology Major | A Step Ahead Foundation
Alexander Castro '22 | Public Health Science Major | The Health Trust
Anthony Chen '22 | Computer Science Major | Code
Katherine Chen '22 | Public Health Major | Air to All
Joycelyn George '21 | Marketing Major | Oasis for Girls
Hope Olbricht '22 | Biology & Public Health Major | The Food Trust
Alia Orlowsky '22 | Philosophy Major | Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Kate Rickwa '24 | Public Health Major | Bronco Urban Garden
Omar Medina '23 | Communications & Spanish Major | Bronco Urban Garden
Karla Santos '24 | Ethnic Studies Major | Bay Area Children's Association
Adele Velastegui '22 | Political Science Major | Immigration Institute of the Bay Area
Kimberly Wood '24 | Political Science & Dance Major | tUrn of SCU
From Fellowship to Full Time
Q&A with Ignatian Fellow Afton Burrell '21
Student Experiences as Ignatian Fellows
"My connection with food has been shaped by many experiences. From cooking meals for my family to working in the food industry for my first job and, most recently, completing a fellowship at a food bank last summer. Through these experiences, I have come to understand food not just as sustenance, but as a powerful tool for community support and healing. During my placement this quarter, I not only had the opportunity to continue pursuing the importance of highlighting food insecurity, but I was also able to become further involved in my broader community of San Jose. Additionally, through my fellowship I created stronger bonds among other fellows who share the same passion for serving our community and expanding the awareness and significance of service. This experience has allowed me to deepen my commitment to service and pursue a vocation that is so much more than myself."
Ignatian Fellows 2024-25
Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution
"Because I have been a part of this community for a while now, I think the biggest learning lessons and significant experiences happened in the time I spent in our fellowship meetings. I don’t reflect on the work that I do at my placement often, but the reflection group meetings invited me to do a lot of reflection and really take a second to think about and process the things that I don’t pay much attention to. Additionally, hearing from my peers about what they’d learned from their fellowship experiences helped me look at mine in a different light. Overall, the fellowship experience helped me realize that everyone just wants to feel valued and connected to the people around them. This has taught me to be kind, loving, and compassionate especially to those facing injustice or hardship or anything that may make them feel less valuable."
Ignatian Fellow 2024-25
St. Mary’s Eritrean Church, San Leandro, CA
"This fellowship has certainly been instrumental in my feelings of belonging as I’ve adjusted to this new campus. I had tried to get more involved in other organizations before applying for the fellowship, and been rejected, so for me, the Ignatian Fellowship is a concrete example of one door closing and another opening. I remember in some of our first reflection meetings being overwhelmed with gratitude that I had ended up here, with the opportunity to serve my community and contribute to something greater (I have been wanting to get involved with an organization like the Ignatian Center for so long!). The last few reflection meetings have been integral for me and my plans for the future. I used to feel intimidated to go into a social justice-focused career because of how disheartening injustices can be. I thought I would get burned out quickly, and that maybe I should focus on careers that offer more stability. After this experience, I’ve realized that the solution to that burnout is helping people, tangibly, like I’ve been doing with Catholic Charities, rather than focusing too much on the large-scale, abstract issues. I hope to enjoy a career in the future that balances tackling large-scale injustices with serving people on the ground."
Ignatian Fellow 2024-25
Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution