St. Joan of Arc School Gives Back to Community

Learning how to make a difference in the community is an invaluable lesson that cannot be taught from a textbook.  Recently, students at St. Joan of Arc School in Evanston had the opportunity to put aside their books, and focus on the needs of their community by giving back to local non-profit organizations.  Students from kindergarten through eighth grade participated in a school-wide community service day, with each grade focusing on their own community service initiative throughout the Chicagoland.  

The St. Joan of Arc eighth grade students helped residents of Chicago’s Misericordia in the bakery, garden, learning center, and art room, while the seventh graders sorted donations and cleaned at Connections for the Homeless in Evanston. Senior citizens at the Mather LifeWays in Evanston were visited by the sixth graders, and the third graders visited with veterans at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago.  

Meanwhile, the fifth grade students were busy making blankets for the neonatal units of local hospitals, and the first graders were baking homemade dog treats in preparation for their visit from the Heartland Animal Shelter of Northbrook.  The Hillside Food Pantry in Evanston was surprised with boxes of food kits collected and delivered by the fourth grade students, and the second graders donated and packed learning supply bags for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Chicago.  The kindergarten class participated by learning ways to take care of the planet at the Ecology Center in Evanston.

We are confident that each student experienced the benefits from their day of volunteering, and will continue to reach out to their community to share their time and talents.  St. Joan of Arc School plans to make this an annual event.  As Carrie Hampson, Principal at St Joan of Arc said, ”We are focused on helping our students become citizens committed to service.  Service Day was a great opportunity for our students to go out into the community and lend a hand.  We hope serving others is a habit that they will continue long after they have graduated from SJA.” 

The sense of pride, satisfaction, and accomplishment on the students’ faces was overwhelming.  As one of the fourth graders, Kealy Cummins, said after her visit to the Hillside Food Pantry, “It makes me so happy to help others.  I had a great day!” 

Lesson learned.  

St Joan of Arc School - 

Strengthened by Faith.  Joined in Community. Achieving Individual Excellence.