Center for Social Concerns

Summer Service Learning Program

The Summer Service Learning Program (SSLP) began in 1980 with the following goals:

1. To allow Notre Dame students to serve people in need in cities of Notre Dame Alumni Clubs.

2. To create an opportunity for discussion of social concerns and the Catholic social tradition between students, alumni/ alumnae, and community partners.

3. To engage students in the integration of service experience with academic readings, reflections and writing.

The SSLP is an 8-week experience within a 3-credit Theology course (S/U). The Center invites Notre Dame Alumni Clubs to sponsor a student(s) to work in an agency or parish in the local community of the Club. The Center recruits Notre Dame students who are interested in expanding their education by working with and learning from persons who are marginalized in society. In 2008, 113 Notre Dame Alumni Clubs sponsored 210 Notre Dame students in sites across the country.

This course consists of orientation in April, reading and writing during the 8 weeks and a follow-up requirement in the fall. This course does not fulfill the University’s required theology courses,  but it does count as an elective.  The Notre Dame Alumni Clubs, the James F. Andrews Scholarship Fund and other special scholarship funds provide a $2300 Social Concerns Scholarship to students at the completion of this eight week summer experience and the academic requirements. Room and board are provided by the Clubs or by the site. The AmeriCorps Educational Award of $1000 is also available to SSLP students at some sites.  

ND Today, February 2009   Notre Dame Traditions—Service Projects

Click here to view the Summer Service Learning Video!

Click here to view the Legacy of James F. Andrews Video.

Click here to view the 2008 Andrews Annual Booklet (PDF, 10 MB).

2009 SSLP Application Deadline is March 1, 2009 (rolling admission)

Students

• 2009 SSLP Application Process

• 2009 Sites open and sites filled (PDF)
• 2009 Registration Information (PDF)
• 2009 Orientation Schedule (PDF)

• SSLP Application, Interview and Placement Process (Word)
• 2009 SSLP Site Directory by State (PDF)

• SSLP Frequently Asked Questions (Word)

• Americorps Grant Information (Word)

• Checklist of responsibilities (Word)

• Syllabus (Word)

• Method of Reflection (Word)

• Final Paper Guidelines: Analytical Essay and Theological Reflection Essay

Site Supervisors

• 2009 Site Description form   (Word)

• Site Supervisor's Guide *(PDF)

Alumni Clubs

• 2009 Club Commitment Form - deadline January 15, 2009. The form will open in a new window, using the Survey Monkey website. Any questions, please contact Nicole Bourbon. 

• 2009 Site Description form (Word)

• Alumni Club Responsibilities *(PDF)

• Choosing an SSLP site

• Arranging Housing for SSLP students

• Transportation Arrangements to and from the SSLP site

• Funding Ideas for the SSLP Scholarship

• Alumni Clubs' Relationship with SSLP students

• Host Family Guidelines

• When the Unexpected Happens

* PDF forms require the use of Adobe Reader available for download at www.adobe.com.

Please contact Andrea Smith Shappell with any questions.