While the number of required hours is not changing, students do not have to do traditional service at volunteer sites until it is safe to do so. This is because of COVID-19 health concerns. Below are some suggestions for service that can be done from home during the pandemic. It does the heart good to do good, and to focus on the needs of others. Keeping service alive in the program can also serve to keep up your teen’s spirit.
- Yard work for your elderly neighbors
- Helping family with projects around the house that you normally would not do
- Calling or video-calling classmates or family that you know are lonely
- Writing hand-written letters or cards to family and friends to lift their spirits
- Prepare a meal for your family, pray and eat! Do the dishes too.
- Organize a Bible study or prayer time with your family. Do it on a regular basis.
- Read a book about an issue of social justice such as: climate change, racism, poverty, homelessness, hunger, and economic justice. (Run your title by the Youth Ministry office first please.)
- View webinars about issues of social justice at these links: Catholic Climate Covenant, Teen Black Catholic Webinar Series
Check out the needs of other local service organizations/nonprofits too! They may be in need of something you can do from home. Examples might include letters to seniors at a retirement center or making blankets for the needy and shipping them to an organization.