x2VOL Blog: Tracking Service Hours at your School

Christian Service Coordinator, Ogechi Akalegbere, is a service champion at Connelly School of the Holy Child. Her primary goal is to help her students connect to meaningful service experiences and projects throughout the school year. Through service, students learn about themselves and God’s love. Service is also an essential component to teach justice, peace, compassion, and faith to the girls. Sixth through 11^th grade are required to complete a variety of service hours anywhere from home, school, church to local nonprofits. Making sure students are involved with direct service is key to the Christian Service Program.

Student service continues to develop in the ever-changing COVID-19 world. However, 2021 might look a little bit different than 2020. In April 2021, x2VOL surveyed administrators, service leaders, and nonprofit organizations to better understand the impact COVID-19 had on community service in the Spring 2021 semester and what the outlook is for Fall 2021. 

This past year students have had to get creative when volunteering and serving in their communities due to COVID-19. Service leaders have modified service programs. 

Brighton High School in Rochester, New York is dedicated to preparing students for their futures. With a robust internship and work-based learning program, school leaders are providing a means for students to gain skills, develop responsibility, and grow in addition to their classes. 

The holiday season may look and feel a little bit different this year, but serving others has never been more important! There are some in-person service opportunities that simply can't take place this year due to COVID-19, but there are still many creative ways to make an impact in your community this holiday season. 

Service has never been more important! Schools continue to modify and adapt their service program to account for the changes COVID-19 has brought to the education system. But one thing that hasn't changed, is students' drive to serve others and impact the world around them. 

COVID-19 has brought a host of changes to schools across the country and throughout the world. The uncertainty surrounding the pandemic and the transition to distance or modified learning has created challenges. 

School campus closures and transitioning to distance learning haven't stopped the students of Newark Academy from serving their community in powerful ways this past semester.

This past semester presented itself with a plethora of new challenges including discovering new ways to volunteer. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, participating in community service may have seemed like an impossible feat. However, students across the country, found unique ways to continue to serve while remaining, primarily, at home. 

During COVID-19, volunteerism and serving others around you has never been so important. Even though, students across the country are spending their time indoors and practicing social distancing, they are getting creative with ways to continue to serve others who are in need during this pandemic.