Network Summer Service
The Network Social Justice Service Programs evolved from the vocation committee of the US Province. The thought was that the RSCJ could work with students in the schools on service projects as a way to foster future vocations. The first summer service program was held in Houston in 1988 at Our Lady of Guadalupe School, and was sponsored by the Society of the Sacred Heart. In 1989, the Society sponsored three service programs in Houston, Grand Coteau and Miami.
From 1988 to 1992 a group of Network educators (Goal III Committee) met to formulate ways for the Network to foster Goal III opportunities for students across the country.
In 1994 the first Network summer service program was held in New York City in conjunction with YSOP (Youth Services Opportunities Project). A Network student, paired with a student from a school in the same city, worked together to understand the causes of homelessness.
In 1995, the second Network sponsored summer program was held in New York City. The project continued to have paired students. Because of high demand, more Network students were permitted to attend.
Level II projects were also initiated in 1995. These allowed students who had participated in a Network summer program (Level I) to participate in a second one in order to delve more deeply into the systemic causes of injustice calling for change. The first Level II programs were held in Boston and Miami.
Over the years, summer service projects have grown exponentially. In 1988, 14 students participated in the first program in Houston, Texas. In recent years, over 2500 Sacred Heart students and faculty members traveled to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Chicago; El Cajon, California; Greenwich, Connecticut; Guadalajara, Mexico; Miami; Poughkeepsie, New York; Princeton, New Jersey; Bethesda, Maryland; South Dakota; New Orleans, Louisiana, San Francisco and Seattle to participate in numerous Network projects.
Sprout Creek Farm (New York)
Duchesne House (New Orleans)
Safe Environment Program from the St. Louis Archdiocese
Click here to view Network Summer Service Opportunities 2013
Timeline for Summer Service 2013
August 15, 2012: *Project Submission Form on http://sofie.org
September 28, 2012: *Summer Service Project Proposals Due
October 12, 2012: *Project Approval Notifications
October 15, 2012: *Adult Applications Sent to Schools and posted on http://sofie.org for electronic submission
November 15, 2012: *Adult Applications Due
December 3, 2012: Student Applications sent to Network Schools and posted on http://sofie.org for electronic submission
January 14, 2013: Student Applications Due
February 15-16, 2013: *Project Staff Seminar
February 22, 2013: Student Notifications Sent
March 15, 2013: Student Forms Due into Network Office
*Adult Staff
Click here to view Network Summer Service Opportunities 2012
Click here to view Network Summer Service Opportunities 2011