All Saint Ignatius students are required to complete Sophomore Service as part of the Theology graduation requirement. The experience, pioneered by Saint Ignatius High School, teaches students to develop empathy and concern for people in need and on the margins of society. Upon completion, students are understanding of the cries of the poor, the helpless and the oppressed; they are also prepared to help.
Students completing Sophomore Service during the academic year will take one semester of Sophomore Service at a local agency and the other semester they will take a class on morality. Depending on the service agency the student is assigned to, he may walk or be driven to his site by school van.
Two opportunities are available for rising sophomores to complete their service requirement in the summer. Both require students to fully commit to a month-long summer camp experience. The Arrupe Summer Program lets students serve as mentors and friends to neighborhood children during an academic and recreational summer camp. The Summer Enrichment Program asks students to serve as counselors to a group of rising 8th graders for a camp that will prepare them for life at Saint Ignatius.
Saint Ignatius sophomores serve during the school year at the following agencies:
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Cleveland Food Bank
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St. Herman’s House of Hospitality
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St. Rocco Day Care
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St. Rocco School
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Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
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Metro Catholic School
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Waverly Elementary School
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Dunbar Elementary School
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Holy Family Cancer Home
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The Senior Health and Wellness Center
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West Side Catholic Center
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Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
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Urban Community School
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The Bridge Avenue School
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Scranton Elementary School
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The Malachi House
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Metro Hospital
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Ohio City Urban Farm/REAP
To learn more about Sophomore Service, please contact Mr. Mike McLaughlin ‘85.