“Students must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn it, feel it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively. They should learn to perceive, think, judge, choose and act for the rights of others, especially the disadvantaged and the oppressed.”

-Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, SJ, The Superior General of the Society of Jesus

SumServe, a program that offers a summer of immersion into service, is designed for students who want an intensive service experience that will prompt deeper questions and discussion about social justice issues. Working almost full-time at a community agency in the Baltimore area and interacting directly with community members who are struggling with issues related to material poverty, participants have an opportunity to actively respond to Rev. Kolvenbach’s challenge cited above. Together, through the community placement as well as through a weekly Social Justice seminar, the group will explore the reality of oppression through examination of issues related to race and class.

Program goals

1.  To provide opportunities for direct involvement with people who are materially poor.
2. To experience the operation of a non-profit agency in order to understand the strategies agencies use to respond to community needs as well as the challenges they face.
3. To think critically about social justice issues through reflection opportunities that challenge participants to link their community experiences with education about the systems that perpetuate the need for the services that they offer.
4. To foster a life-long habit of “choosing and acting for others.”

Program components

1. 32 hours per week of paid work in a Baltimore agency that serves people who are materially poor.
2. Weekly Social Justice Seminar focusing on topics related to material poverty and oppression.
3. Opportunities for reflection.
4. Community and simple living.

Benefits for Participants

1. On-campus housing.
2. Opportunities to learn about social justice through community work and seminar.
3. Full-time work experience for resume.
4. Access to University vehicles or bus tokens for transportation to and from agency.
5. Dinner with local community activists working on social justice issues.
6. Access to Fitness and Athletic  Center.

Participant responsibility

The success of SumServe is highly dependent upon the dedication, commitment, and spirit of the participant group. It requires participants to display professional behavior and attitudes. SumServe and its various components must be a top priority for all involved.

Each SumServe participant will make a commitment to:

1. Complete 32 hours of service at their placement each week.
2. Abide by all University and residence hall policies specified in the Loyola University Maryland Community Standards Handbook.
3. Attend and participate in all Weekly Seminars.
4. Participate in other agency-related activities.
5. Seek advance approval from Christina Harrison for absence from any SumServe activities.

*Participants will be allowed to take one evening course as long as it does not interfere with placement hours, the social justice seminar, orientation, or reflection days (see calendar).  Participants need to be aware that it is very difficult to take a class while participating in this program due to the demanding nature of almost full-time work in local agencies.

Agency Placements

Each participant will choose two agencies from the list of SumServe placement options and will interview with staff at both. Final placements will be made by CCSJ in collaboration with participation and agencies. The agencies work with people who are materially poor, and have agreed to create a placement that involves direct interaction with community members as well as significant responsibilities within the agency. For listing of Program Placements please click here.

Procedure for joining the class:

1. Register for SOC 403: SumServe Practicum and Seminar
2. Complete Participant Information Form
3. Make appointment with Christina Harrison and Maggie Horne at CCSJ
4. Identify two agencies of interest
5. Interview at two agencies
6. Receive final placement

* We encourage students to register for SOC 403 by March 19, so that they can interview at their placements between March 26 and April 26. Placement will be confirmed on April 26.

Click here for Sample Placement Sites
Click here for Program Details and Schedule
Click here for Participant Information Form
Click here for Class Information and Description

If you have any further questions about this program, please contact Christina Harrison at charrison@loyola.edu or Maggie Horne at mrhorne@loyola.edu .