Campus Ministry Into The Streets

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The Into the Streets Challenge:

We at Into the Streets (ITS) try to stress the importance of learning and leadership, as well as
service. This is why we are presenting you the Into the Streets Challenge: to lead, learn, and serve as best you can. If you do not see a service opportunity that interests you, find one or approach us here at Campus Ministry to help you find one. Create a leadership position for yourself. Take part in various service opportunities. Grow as an individual through service. Some of the most important lessons we learn are in the community as well as the classroom. Go "into the streets" of your community, and challenge yourself to lead, learn and serve.

"We must challenge ourselves - to go Into the Streets,

not just for a day, but for a lifetime."

-ITS Challenge Statement, 1992

About Into the Streets:

Into The Streets (ITS), a national Campus Outreach Opportunity League (COOL) program, aims to "introduce more students to thoughtful community service and to provide a learning experience that will challenge them to volunteer on a regular basis" (ITS Manual, 3). At Stonehill, ITS challenges students to understand their education as a tool for the improvement of society, a distinctive feature of the Catholic education. This has been the goal of the program since its incorporation into campus life by Campus Ministry in the spring of 1992.

ITS is students inviting students to go beyond the boundaries of this campus, out into the streets of our local communities. Students are given not only a particular experience of service, but also the opportunity to walk with others and be in relationship with those who need someone to accompany them. By encouraging students to reflect on these experiences of service, ITS aims at fostering an awareness of campus, local and global injustice. Such an awareness, we hope, will prompt action that is rooted in love of God and of neighbor.

In addition to the 12 on-campus service groups, students can volunteer at over 40 local agencies. Students can participate on their own or in groups as members of Into the Streets.

Our ultimate hope is that students will choose a lifetime of going into the streets!

How You Can Serve:

There are a variety of ways to serve others in the communities surrounding Stonehill, each with its own level of commitment. Here are some of the possibilities:

Take part in regular, occasional, or one-time service events sponsored by Into the Streets, such as a walk-a-thon, holiday fundraising event, or tutoring program. Contact the Into the Streets Director for a list of upcoming events.
Suggest a group service project with your wing or floor of your Residence Hall, like raking leaves in the yard of an elderly person in the neighborhood or raising money or food for a local agency. See your RA or one of the ITS Directors.
Join an on-campus student service organization. These are listed in this directory along with the names of the student leaders you can contact.
Volunteer at an off-campus service agency. There are over sixty of them listed in this directory, along with information about each agency and a contact name and number. Many of these will require a regular time commitment.

Internships / Academic Credit:

RS325 Theology and Community Service: This course is offered by Religious Studies and Campus Ministry. Students engage in service off-campus and meet in a weekly seminar for theological reflection on the issues they face in their service.
RS401 - Campus Ministry Intern Help coordinate Into the Streets at Stonehill! Students coordinate the program while they learn about Catholic Social Teaching and the Christian social justice movement.
Service agencies in the surrounding areas are often in need of interns. Skills required, job responsibilities, as well as level of time commitment differs with each position. Check with Campus Ministry for a complete list of internships.