Christian Service

Teaching the students to “Serve in the Spirit of St. Damien” is our ultimate goal. Damien High School embraces a Christian Service Program that consists of both individual service hours in the community and participation in service projects sponsored by the school. Students will complete a minimum of 20 service hours per year, totaling at least 80 service hours by graduation.

Each year, we encourage students to invest their time and talent in our community as embodied by St. Damien. Students will put into practice key SPARTANS Attributes that serve the needs of our community, restore hope and dignity to those most vulnerable and marginalized, inspire a compassionate response to immediate and systemic issues of hardship and contribute to the betterment of humanity. Students will understand how to recognize a need and act charitably in any situation and circumstance – in the home, at school and in the broader community.

Inquiries? Contact Christian Service Director Mrs. Blackburn at [email protected].

What qualifies as Christian Service?

Christian Service activities/projects should reflect “Service in the Spirit of St. Damien” – and are always voluntary and unpaid.

Christian Service goes beyond community service and gives witness to Christian theology of love; to will the good of the other (St. Thomas Aquinas). Furthermore, St. Luke shares that love of God, love of neighbor, and love of self (Luke 10:27) are pivotal. If your participation in Christian Service activities/projects meet one or more of these parameters, is voluntary and unpaid, then your Christian Service log(s) will be approved. Note that all Christian Service must align with the teachings of the Catholic Church.

More clarification on what qualifies as Christian Service:
“Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do.” – St. Mother Teresa (Nobel Peace Prize Speech, 1979)

• Helping one’s family member in an extraordinary circumstance qualifies with discretion from Christian Service Director (limited approved hours). For example, acting as a caregiver to a sibling with moderate to severe disability.

• Helping at Damien school events that take place outside of the school day (or during school hours authorized by Christian Service Director) qualifies. Activities such as taking club sign-ups on club day or helping with a lunchtime food sale do not qualify.

How do I record and track my Christian Service activities?

Damien High School utilizes an app called MobileServe that is accessible via cellphone and computer. Students can launch the app or log-in to instantly record a service activity when and where they complete it.

Each service log entry goes through approval. To ensure your service activity is approved, your log entry must include:

1. Log total Christian Service hours (record one log for each activity/event)
2. List the service organization name and location (city, state) and select if it’s for service to the community or service to the school
3. “Tell Your Story” and compose a 3-4 sentence reflection answering the following questions:

• How did your service make you feel? What challenged you? Evaluate your performance.

• What did you learn about the organization? Who did you meet? How did the organization feel about your service/contribution?
• What skills did you develop? What responsibilities did you have?
• How did you serve in the Spirit of St. Damien? How did your service embody the SPARTANS Attribute of Service-Oriented? How do you see your service/contribution help ease suffering, meet a need/priority, and/or facilitate positive change for the community?

4. List the supervisor name and email (be sure you double check that the email is valid) to retain a digital signature
5. Upload up to 3 digital photos that further tells your story (choose photos that reflect the service/contribution; always ask for permission if posting photos of minors)

Visit Christian Service Director, Mrs. Blackburn or email [email protected] for questions or additional assistance.

Are students limited to Christian Service activities listed on the MobileServe App?

Students can participate in activities beyond what is posted to the MobileServe Events tab – although this is a good place to start for ideas and opportunities. We encourage you to consider volunteering with organizations based on passion, interest, career aspirations, and charitable impact. For a list of organizations, see List of Christian Service Opportunities/Suggestions down below.

What is the deadline to complete Christian Service hours?

DEADLINES FOR CURRENT SENIORS - CLASS OF 2025

• Seniors are on track with about 60 hours of Christian Service (20 hours per year thus far) logged into MobileServe by the start of Fall 2024.
• Seniors are encouraged to have all required 80 hours of Christian Service logged into MobileServe by March 28.
• Seniors need a minimum of 65 approved hours of Christian Service logged into MobileServe by March 28 to be able to participate in Prom (April 6). Prom tickets will not be refunded.
• Seniors need 70 approved hours of Christian Service logged into MobileServe by April 28 to be able to participate in Grad Night (TBD). Grad Night tickets will not be refunded.
• Seniors need 75 approved hours of Christian Service logged into MobileServe by May 9 to be able to participate in the Baccalaureate Mass (May 22) and the Graduation Ceremony (May 23). No refunds will be given.

DEADLINES FOR OTHER STUDENTS

Current Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors should complete this year’s Christian Service activities by July 31, 2025. This enables students to focus on completing the requirement for Christian Service hours required for the 2025-26 school year. Completing 20 hours of Christian Service each school year will keep students on track to meet the graduation requirement. Busy students are encouraged to participate in Christian Service activities during the school breaks such as Christmas, Easter and summer.

List of Christian Service Opportunities/Suggestions

The following list includes examples of Christian Service. If unsure of what qualifies as Christian Service, consult with the Director of Christian Service before beginning a service activity/project.

Church/Parish Volunteer Opportunities

I.e. alter serving, school/class aide, assisting with fundraisers and events, etc.

Holy Name of Mary 724 E Bonita Ave San Dimas 91773	Our Lady of the Assumption 435 N Berkeley Ave Claremont 91711	St. Joseph - Upland 877 N Campus Ave Upland 91786
St. Anthony 2110 N San Antonio Ave Upland 91784	St. Louise de Marillac 1720 E Covina Blvd Covina 91724	St. Dorothy 241 S Valley Center Ave Glendora 91741
St. Madeline 999 E Kingsley Ave Pomona 91767	Our Lady of Lourdes 10191 Central Ave Montclair 91763	St. George 505 N Palm Ave Ontario 91762
Sacred Heart - Pomona 1215 S Hamilton Blvd Pomona 91766	Sacred Heart - Covina 344 W Workman St Covina 91723	Sacred Heart - Rancho 12704 Foothill Blvd Rancho Cucamonga 91739
St. Christopher 629 S Glendora Ave West Covina 91790	Our Lady of Grace 126 S 5th Ave Covina 91723	St. Peter and St. Paul 9135 Banyan St Rancho Cucamonga 91737
St. Paul the Apostle 14085 Peyton Dr Chino Hills 91709	St. Denis 2151 S. Diamond Bar Blvd Diamond Bar 91765	St. Joseph - Pomona 1150 W Holt Ave Pomona 91768

PRO-TIP: Check the Church/Parish Bulletin found onsite or on the website.

There are dozens of other churches/parishes in the surrounding areas (Catholic and other faiths) that you can contact to inquire about volunteer opportunities.

Homeless Outreach Volunteer Opportunities

East San Gabriel Valley Coalition for the Homeless

1345 Turnbull Canyon Rd

Hacienda Heights 91745

Holy Name of Mary Winter Shelter

724 E Bonita Ave

San Dimas 91773

Mary’s Mercy Center

641 Roberds Ave

San Bernardino 92411

Holy Name of Mary - St Vincent De Paul

724 E Bonita Ave