Local Community Engagement |
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| This fall, we established four new service sites with amazing community partners across Omaha. Approximately 330 students serve weekly through 30 local community programs. Explore our new community partners below:
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- Students serving with the Intercultural Senior Center engage with seniors from more than 30 countries, assisting with community-building programming including bingo, chair volleyball and arts and crafts activities.
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Participants in the new semester-long International Council for Immigrants and Refugees service group assist in an after-school Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) program for immigrant and refugee youth.
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Students participating in weekly service at Together Omaha help organize and distribute donated goods for a choice food pantry, addressing hunger in our community with dignity and hospitality at the center.
- Students serving in the semester-long service program at Kellom Elementary School practice reading with K-3rd-grade students while forming connections with each student.
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Our new graduate assistant for Local Community Engagement, James Brainard, BS'25, MS'27, helped us expand our service offerings. James served on the Local Community Engagement team as a student leader for the past two years and is currently working toward a master's degree in health informatics.
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This fall, we partnered with three new Service & Justice Trip host sites in addition to our 17 established partners. In total, 149 students across 20 sites engaged with and served communities nationwide. Learn more about our new Service & Justice Trip partners below:
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- At Sittin' Pretty Farm in Viroqua, Wisconsin, students learned about the Driftless Region and sustainable agriculture while helping with the fall harvest.
- Students served with the Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity, helping to build affordable housing.
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- Students serving at LifeWise in St. Louis, Missouri, worked with the Early Childhood Center to support young students’ learning.
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We are grateful for our incredible community partners across the country.
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This November, students participated in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice (IFTJ), hosted by the Ignatian Solidarity Network in Washington, D.C. The IFTJ is the largest annual Catholic social justice conference, with attendees from Jesuit high schools, universities, parishes, and other affiliated schools from across the country. Keynote speeches by Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, Yunuen Trujillo, and Christina Leaño helped connect with this year’s theme of “Pressing On.” After networking and learning, students met with elected officials about conference themes.
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| Invitation to Retirement Reception |
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After much reflection and discernment, I have decided to retire at the end of December. I am so grateful for more than 26 years at the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice and 37 years in education. I am incredibly proud of all we have accomplished together, and I know the SCSJ Staff and student leaders are ready to continue and strengthen the SCSJ’s mission-centric work. Our programs have never been more impactful in scope, depth, and leadership. Thank you for your participation, support, and prayers through the years, as together we continue to cultivate a more loving and just world!
If you happen to be in Omaha and want to come by to say hello, I would love to see you on December 8! More details below.
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Retirement Reception
Monday, December 8th
3-5 p.m. (short program at 4 p.m.)
SCSJ Upper Brandeis Hall Suite 202
All are welcome! RSVPs are appreciated (but not required).
In gratitude and peace,
Ken
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Ken Reed-Bouley, MDiv, MBA
Director | Schlegel Center for Service and Justice
Division of Mission and Ministry | Creighton University
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