On Thursday, May 14, Chaminade Julienne’s Class of 2028 had the opportunity to attend a service fair before summer break. Although in the past the service fair was held in the fall during the first month of the junior year, Karen Emmerich, religious teacher and Integrated Social Justice Research Project (ISJRP) coordinator, said the earlier timing allows sophomores to get a head start on the 25 service hours required during junior year.
Emmerich said to the sophomores in the bleachers, “You can complete up to 15 service hours at one organization over the summer. The remaining 10 hours must be completed during the school year.”
Being a person of service is part of the Chaminade Julienne mission and is at the very heart of the CJ community. Over the course of four years at CJ, students are offered many different service-learning opportunities that align with their interests and passions. While each grade level participates in service, during junior year they are asked to focus on the root cause of a social injustice rather than just service hours.
“To help these students understand why serving can benefit our society, CJ juniors are assigned the Integrated Social Justice Research Project (ISJRP),” said Emmerich. “This ISJRP requires juniors to research the organization, its mission and those it serves. Students then analyze the work they completed through the lens of social justice within a 10-page research paper.”
ISJRP is a curriculum integration among the English, religion, and ministry and service departments.
“Students are expected to complete their 25 hours with one organization in order to deepen their understanding of an issue they are passionate about and build familiarity with that organization itself,” said Patrick Burns, campus minister for service and justice. “Doing the service fair now gives students a chance to get an earlier start on their hours, particularly with sites that are primarily outdoors and have less availability in the colder months.”
Emmerich said, “Doing the fair now allows those involved in athletics and performing arts during the school year a chance to get it done before lives get busy.”
Juan Diego Nino Rodriguez ’28 was happy that the service fair now takes place before the summer begins due to soccer commitments in the fall. He plans to do his service as a camp counselor with the Dayton Rec, the city’s parks and recreation department.
“I believe it is important to do service,” said Rodriguez. “Service isn’t only about helping others in need. It’s a way to serve God directly.”
Ten non-profit organizations were part of this service fair. Students had the opportunity to meet with representatives to learn about their mission, the types of service opportunities they offer, and when hours are available. There were sign-up sheets for those interested in volunteering or to learn more.
“I liked the service fair,” said Jocelyn Colvin ’28. “It was interesting. I enjoyed holding a chick from the Learning Tree Farm the most. I signed up to volunteer at the Marianist Environment Educational Center (MEEC) because I love nature and I worry about the environment.”
The ISJRP serves as a stepping stone toward the senior capstone project, a year-long assignment that challenges students to develop a service initiative embodying the traditions of our school’s two founding orders, the Marianists and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur. Each project is rooted in Catholic Social Teaching and encourages students to make a meaningful impact in their communities. Many seniors choose to continue building relationships with organizations they served during their junior year, partnering with them again for their capstone work. Two examples are El Puente and For the Love of Children (FLOC), organizations where members of the Class of 2026 volunteered as juniors before returning to develop their senior capstone projects.
Marjorie Ingles ’26 and Mitchelle Aniebo ’26, spent part of their day off between exams and graduation representing For the Love of Children (FLOC), where Ingles completed her capstone project.
“It was great talking to students interested in FLOC and explaining what the organization does for children who are facing challenges and how they can help,” said Ingles, “We had quite a lot of sign-ups today.”
Students interested in serving the community explored a wide range of local organizations focused on supporting people, children and the environment. Opportunities included working with families through Love G.O.D. (Grandparents of Dayton) and El Puente; supporting youth and individuals with disabilities through Dayton Rec, Adventure in Movement for the Handicapped, Kids in New Directions and For the Love of Children; and engaging with nature and environmental causes through the Therapeutic Riding Institute, Learning Tree Farm, Waste Free Dayton and the Marianist Environmental Education Center.
Emmerich said that the Class of 2028 students are welcome to seek out other non-profit organizations that work on social justice causes.
“The organizations at the fair were just 10 of many great organizations within the Dayton region,” said Emmerich.