Service Learning

Instructor: Mrs. A. Sosely

Service Learning

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. 
~Winston Churchill 

Reminder: All  summer service hours will be due on Friday, September 25th, to Mrs. Sosely. Please see her with any questions or concerns you may have.


Mission Statement 

Bernards High School recognizes the need to develop, in all students, a sense of social responsibility, in addition to a commitment to their academic and co-curricular endeavors. By providing students with numerous opportunities for service to local and global communities, we believe that we will help students to achieve their full potential as active and productive members of society.

Graduation Requirement
Students are required to complete a total of 20 hours of service.

 

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Please note that recent changes have taken place regarding service requirements for BHS students. Click here for Dr. Neigel's full letter regarding specific requirements for service.

As you consider a focus for your service work,  here are some suggestions for you to consider, regarding populations and service providers:

Elderly

Holly Manor Nursing Home

https://www.genesishcc.com/hollymanor

Letters Against Isolation

https://www.lettersagainstisolation.com

Environment

Headwaters Association

https://www.raritanheadwaters.org

 

4H -Somerset County

https://4histops.org

Audubon Society

https://www.audubon.org

Environmental Education Center

https://visitsomersetnj.org/fun-somerset-nj/environmental-education-center/

Ending Hunger

Community Soup Kitchen

https://saintjamesbr.org/the-community-soup-kitchen

Somerset County Food Bank 

https://www.somersetfoodbank.org

Food Bank Network of Somerset County

https://www.manvillenj.org/512/The-Food-Bank-Network-of-Somerset-County

Poverty/Homelessness

Habitat for Humanity

https://www.habitat.org/volunteer/near-you

Homeless Solution

https://homelesssolutions.org

Jersey Cares

https://www.jerseycares.org

Catholic Charities

https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org

Animal Welfare
https://www.sthuberts.org

Creature Comforts

https://www.ccpettherapy.org/other_volunteer_opportunities.php


Mane Stream

https://www.manestreamnj.org
Animal Alliance of New Jersey

https://www.animalalliancenj.org

Wellness
Crossroads 4 Hope

ttps://crossroads4hope.org
Linus’ Blankets

https://www.projectlinus.org

American Cancer Society

https://www.cancer.org

Lupus Foundation

https://www.lupus.org

Campbell Foundation

https://www.campbellfoundation.net

Disabled

Matheny Hospital
https://matheny.org

Camp Marcella (Developmental Disabilities Camp)
https://campmarcella.org

Veterans/Service

VNA
https://vnahg.org

Soldier/Troop Care packages

https://www.operationgratitude.com/care-packages/deployed-troops/
Community Education

Historical Society of Somerset Hills https://somersethillshistoricalsociety.org

AAUW

https://www.aauw.org

Bernardsville Public Library

https://bernardsvillelibrary.org

Clarence Dillon Public Library
https://www.dillonlibrary.org

Recreation/Arts

Center for Contemporary Art

https://ccabedminster.org
Bedminster Recreation Department

https://www.bedminster.us/services/recreation_department
Somerset Hills YMCA

https://www.gscymca.org/locations/somerset-hills-ymca/somerset-hills-ymca/

DEADLINES
Last Friday in September: Documentation of service performed in the summer is due.

Friday before first semester exams begin: Documentation of service performed during the first semester is due.

Second Friday in June: Documentation of service performed during the second semester is due.

** If  you would like for your volunteer organization to be added to the Suggested List,  please contact me  via email- [email protected] .

Helpful Websites:

Teen Life:  https://www.teenlife.com/category/volunteer/
Volunteer Match:  https://www.volunteermatch.org/?l=New+Jersey&searchOpps=#

ATLANTIC VISITING NURSES RUMMAGE SALE- COMING THIS FALL 2023
The Atlantic Visiting Nurses- Rummage Sale is happening  in Far Hills this upcoming September. They are looking for volunteers for their upcoming rummage sale this Fall and  would love to have a small group to help with set-up and breakdown. 

Set-Up Days- Sept. 5 - Sept 8.

Sunday, October 8th: 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm

Monday, October 9th: 8:00 am UNTIL DONE!

If interested, please reach out to Ms. Sosely for contact information.



SENIOR SHOPPER PROGRAM-
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

 
Click here for more information.


FRIENDS FOREVER SUMMER CAMP
 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Click here to see more about becoming  a social skills volunteer!
Weeks of June 26th,, July 10th and July 24th.



CAMP CRITTERS- VOLUNTEERS WANTED!

St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center has opportunities for students interested in volunteering
as Critter Camp counselors at our Madison location (575 Woodland Ave.). Critter Camps are designed to educate and inspire youth to practice a lifestyle of compassion, respect and empathy through the humane treatment of animals.  We emphasize responsible pet care and foster children’s understanding and concern for all species. St. Hubert’s hosts Critter Camps for elementary aged children (grades 4-8) and are seeking high schoolers to join our team as volunteer counselors supervising and supporting the campers.  Please note that this is not an animal handling role.  Qualifications include prior experience working with children and an enthusiastic/outgoing personality!  Duties include supervising and engaging with campers during educational presentations and games, assisting with craft activities, set up/clean up duties before and after camp each day, and ensuring a fun camp experience for all campers!  

 

Spring Break camp dates below.  Summer camp weeks TBD.  For summer volunteering, you must be available to volunteer the entire week.  Daily volunteer hours are approximately 8:30am-1:15pm. Please refer any interested students to our online application . Any questions can be sent to me directly.  Thank you!

 

June 26-30 (rising 5th-6th graders)

July 10-14 (rising 5th-6th graders)

July 18-21 (rising 4th graders)

July 25-28 (rising 4th graders)

July 31-Aug 4 (rising 7th-8th graders)

Aug 7-11 (rising 7th-8th graders)

July 17 (2 -90 min sessions, 1 morning, 1 afternoon time TBD, w/rising 3rd graders)

July 24 (2 -90 min sessions, 1 morning, 1 afternoon time TBD, w/rising 3rd graders)



COMMUNITY IN CRISIS


Volunteer to make bracelets for the recovery community.
Thursdays, December 8th, 7-8:30 p.m
Click here for more information about registration.



BEDMINSTER FALL FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 22, 2022
Please click here for more information.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Adults & Students Community Service Opportunity Saturday, October 22nd Fall Fest Event (2.5 hour shifts) from 12 Noon to 5 PM 
Clean-Up To Volunteer Sign-Up On-Line by Wednesday, October 19th at https://signup.com/go/YaHAusV or call/ email Neil Mastrobuono at (908) 212-7000, Ext. 405 or [email protected]


COLOR A SMILE, MORRISTOWN


Color cheerful drawings for senior citizens, troops oversees or anyone else in need of a smile!                           

http://colorasmile.org/ E: [email protected]

 



JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS!

Jewish Family Service of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is a non-profit (501(c)3), non-sectarian social service agency that has served the tri-county area since 1980.  The mission of JFS is “to preserve and strengthen the quality of individual, family and community life based on Jewish values.” Clients of JFS are from all religious, ethnic and cultural backgrounds.

 

For the past several years, we have been expanding our use of volunteers to improve the lives of older adults and others in the community and have developed several volunteer opportunities we thought ideal for students seeking meaningful community service hours.


INTERFAITH NETWORK

Consider volunteering through the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Somerset County, as they are currently in need of students to volunteer their time to support the homeless families  in our neighborhoods. While there are a range of ways in which you can assist, please do not hesitate to call them directly for more information: 908-704-1920.



CONSIDER JOINING THE PG FIRE DEPT!

Looking to get involved? Interested in serving your community and helping to save lives? If so, consider volunteering for the Peapack-Gladstone Fire Department.  There are many ways in which to volunteer.  If interested, please do not hesitate to see Ms. Sosely for contact information.



 

 



COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN-FEED THE HUNGRY

                    Volunteers Needed!                         

Because hunger doesn't take a break, the Community Soup Kitchen & Outreach Center will be open every day, serving 18,000 breakfasts and lunches from June through August and distributing 120,000 pounds of food through our Free Farmer's Markets. 

Will you please help us? Summer is the season when donations drop off, but the need increases, as many children who don't have access to school lunches depend on us until September.

Consider volunteering and e-mail [email protected] today.




TUTORS NEEDED FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS
Click here for more information

 An after-school academic support program hosted by St. Bernard’s Church, in partnership with the Somerset Hills YMCA, is seeking additional volunteers to sign up this summer before the program resumes with the fall start of classes in the Somerset Hills School District.

The program, taught by high school students and adult volunteers, is free and offers homework help, academic support and computers with internet access to area students in grades 1-8.

Adults and high school students wishing to volunteer are required to be registered as a volunteer through the YMCA, a simple and free procedure but one that can take a few weeks to process.

For high school students, the program can count toward community service hours. This is an opportunity for students to share their knowledge, gain leadership skills and give back to the community.

Additional volunteers will help ensure consistent coverage, ideally with one volunteer for every student. A larger pool of volunteers will also enable flexible scheduling so volunteers can come when available and won’t have to commit to a fixed schedule.

The program runs through the school year and is held in a classroom in St. Bernard’s Parish House on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

For young elementary children who do not have homework, the emphasis is on developing reading and math skills through the use of grade-appropriate workbooks and other learning materials. Students seeking academic help can just drop in - no appointments are necessary.

The Parish House, located at 88 Claremont Road, is within walking distance of Bedwell Elementary School, Bernardsville Middle School and the Bernards High School.

St. Bernard’s launched this satellite learning initiative as part of its community outreach efforts, with a particular focus on providing resources to local Latin American residents.

For more information, contact Jessica Bruno at the YMCA, (908) 766-7898 ext. 544, or Alison Davidson at St. Bernard’s Church at (908) 766-0602.



BERNARDSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT NEEDS VOLUNTEERS

The Bernardsville Fire Department is looking for volunteers. If interested in becoming a part of the team, visit them at the firehouse on Monday nights from 7:00- 8:00 p.m. Also, you can go to [email protected], as well, to get more information about membership.