St. Ignatius

Core Project

The goals of the Core Service Project are to engage students in service beyond their immediate community, push them to explore new social issues, and encourage a commitment to one nonprofit organization for the duration of the project. By providing hands-on, direct service, students build meaningful, personal connections with marginalized communities and persons in ways that transform their commitment to justice. The Core Project also engages students in social analysis and reflection, inviting them to ask questions about the root causes of social issues and make connections to their faith. The Core Service Project is at the heart of a Jesuit education because it challenges students to develop their own gifts and talents, examine structural injustices, and discern how to build a more just world. 

Students plan, prepare, and engage in a Core Service Project with the goal that this experience will challenge them to:

  1. Utilize their planning skills, creating and implementing a project that builds upon their passions and special gifts.
  2. Go beyond their immediate community to provide personal, hands-on service to others in a way that addresses a social justice issue.
  3. Make a commitment to one issue and one agency for the duration of the project.  Core Projects can be any length as determined by the student and the needs of agency.
  4. Provide direct, interpersonal service to communities and individuals experiencing marginalization in our society.
  5. Reflect critically and spiritually through an Ignatian process of written assignments. 

Core Project Guidelines for the Class of 2022

  • Students complete 15 hours of Core service
  • Students research and contact a non-profit organization they want to volunteer with. 
  • After initial contact, students must submit a proposal via this Google Form to be approved by the Office of CSSJ before starting their volunteer work for the Core Project. 
  • Students must complete a Core Journal and Core Synthesis Paper as part of their Core Project
  • Students have until Aug. 20, 2021 to complete the volunteer hours and assignments upon approval. 
  • Students cannot pay to participate; volunteer work that requires payment does not qualify for Core service. 
  • For Core projects focused around animal welfare or environmental justice issues, students must complete 20 hours, instead of 15 hours.

Core Project Guidelines for Classes of 2023, 2024 and 2025

  • Students complete 40 hours of Core service
  • Students research and contact a non-profit organization they want to volunteer with. 
  • After initial contact, students must submit a proposal via this Google Form to be approved by the Office of CSSJ before starting their volunteer work for the Core Project. 
  • Students must complete a Core Journal and Core Synthesis Paper as part of their Core Project
  • Students have 6 months to complete the volunteer hours and assignments upon approval. 
  • Students must complete their hours and assignments before the start of their Senior year.
  • Students cannot pay to participate; volunteer work that requires payment does not qualify for Core service. 
  • For Core projects focused around animal welfare or environmental justice issues, students must complete 60 hours, instead of 40 hours.

For any additional information or questions, please reach out to our office at sicommunityservice@siprep.org, or stop by the Office of Community Service and Social Justice in the student center during school hours.