Children and teens, ages six and up, go to the Shehan Center because it offers a safe, positive, fun environment. Volunteers may assist with the two afterschool programs (one educational, one recreational) by helping with homework, reinforcing English language skills, playing games and sports with the children, and acting as positive role models. You may also choose to be a volunteer coach for sports such as basketball and flag football.

During a student's four years at Fairfield Prep he serves others in a variety of ways: as a freshman, during a field day with inner-city children; as a sophomore, in service to school, church or community. As a junior, by participating in an Urban Plunge , other immersion experiences or exploring agencies approved for senior service projects. The senior year service experience should continue and deepen these experiences as students make a year-long commitment to serve those less advantaged than them in some way.

500 students, faculty, staff, and, alumni join together to volunteer for a one-day serve-a-thon at 40-plus local agency sites in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Norwalk, and Stamford. Volunteers help out by doing odd jobs such as painting at a church, stocking a food pantry, and doing spring cleaning for an organization. Money raised by participants goes towards a national program to end hunger.

Campus Ministry has had a tradition of offering students the opportunity to spend time in other countries to learn about the realities, hopes, and struggles of those living in situations of economic, political, or social marginalization.

• Sharing in the lives of those living in poverty through short-term service projects and living experiences
• Reflecting critically on issues of faith and justice
• Being exposed to the wonderful diversity of God's creations through an encounter with those living in a culture different from their own
• Offering their skills, resources and gifts for the purpose of creating a more just and loving world

Volunteers work with children ages six to fourteen as tutors in the homework room, assistants in the arts and crafts room and computer room, or on the basketball court as coaches and teammates. There are also opportunities for greater involvement and leadership: start your own Friday program for the McGivney kids, incorporating your own gifts and talents (e.g., dance classes, theatre, chess club, etc.).

Thomas Merton House Soup Kitchen

Monday-Friday, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

The Merton Center serves breakfast and lunch on a daily basis to approximately 200 guests and provides a range of essential social support services. Volunteers can help prepare food, make up trays, assemble take-out packages, stock pantries, serve meals, wash dishes, and clean-up kitchen and dining areas. But, most importantly, volunteers extend hospitality, friendship, and comfort to the guests.

The service learning program at Fairfield University facilitates connections between focused academic learning that meets disciplinary standards for rigor, with meaningful and appropriate service that addresses needs identified by and with communities.

A long-standing partnership between Fairfield University and Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Inc. (ABCD) provides opportunities for students to be involved in preventive intervention that helps low-income preschoolers and their parents in language and reading, while learning about child development and cognition.