The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

This service project includes assisting in the center's hot meals program, which typically serves the elderly, children, and local residents in need. Service particpants may help in room set up, meal preparation, serving, and cleaning up after the meal.

The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

This service project includes assisting in the center's hot meals program, which typically serves the elderly, children, and local residents in need. Service particpants may help in room set up, meal preparation, serving, and cleaning up after the meal.

Projects ¿QUÉ? is a multi-faceted JCU initiative to raise the educational aspirations of middle school Hispanic children on Cleveland's west side.

This service activity involves providing homework assistance and tutoring in math, science, English, and social studies to school-age children at La Sagrada Familia church. Students typically bring homework to work on; if they do not, JCU provides educational materials. 

NOTE: It is best if service participants in this activity have some ability to speak in Spanish, but this is not required.

The Labre Project is a JCU student organization through which JCU students, faculty, and administrators provide food, supplies, and friendship to people experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. The Labre Project began at JCU in October of 2004 and is named after St. Benedict Joseph Labre, the patron saint of the homeless.  Every Friday night, participants join in preparing a meal and gathering books, clothing, batteries, and supplies to distribute to over 120 people across the Cleveland area. The evening begins and ends with a brief ecumenical service and period of reflection.

Participants in this activity will assist with a "Labre Donation Sorting" event. Labre relies on a near-constant flow of donations that must be sorted and catalogued in order to be effectively distributed to those in need. Labre staff notes that "sorting days are fun, because it's a great way to help us out and build community at the same time. The work is not strenuous--and sometimes we'll let you take home a souvenir!" 

"Through the Eyes of a Child" is an annual event sponsored by Circle K International in which 100 Cleveland children visit JCU's campus for several hours of holiday fun and activities. This year's event will be held on Saturday, December 5, from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm and activities will include cookie decorating, story time, a visit with Santa, arts and crafts, time in the gym, and lunch in the cafeteria. This year, the children will come from St. Thomas and St. Francis Elementary schools in Cleveland.  Each child will be paired with a JCU student. JCU students are asked to spend up to $20 to purchase a gift for their "little buddy" (Santa will give the child the gift, of course!) This is a great event for anyone who is looking for a fun and rewarding service project for the holiday season.

Service participants in this activity will assist with Circle K's annual "Through the Eyes of a Child" holiday event.  Responsibilities may include: organizing gifts and gift distribution to children, setting up rooms and decorating for the event, serving at various "stations" to supervise activities and handle re-stocking supplies, clean-up and tear down after the event. 

NOTE: This activity takes place in the LSC Intramural Gym at JCU.  Registered participants should go directly to the gym at 9:00pm and report to Courtney Maistros, who will take attendance and give you instructions as to how to proceed.

MedWish International is a non-profit organization committed to the recovery and recycling of donated medical supplies that area healthcare providers must discard. These life-saving supplies are made available to those providing medical care in developing countries throughout the world. Globally, the MedWish International program improves the quality of medical care available to the underserved around the world; locally, we are effectively reducing the amount of solid waste deposited in landfills. MedWish International also serves as a resource for local health-care professionals and charitable organizations interested in global health.

On the first Saturday of every month from 10 am- 12:30 pm MedWish International hosts "Sorting Parties" in which medical professionals and JCU service participants work together at the warehouse to sort through the donated medical supplies. JCU volunteers work to form piles of “like” items and then the medical volunteers identify each pile and place it into inventory. Beverages and snacks are served.

Linking Employment, Abilities, and Potential (LEAP) is a not-for-profit organization affiliated with Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries. LEAP's mission is "consumer-directed to ensure a society of equal opportunity for all persons, regardless of disability." LEAP provides a comprehensive menu of services to persons with disabilities, including vocational rehabilitation and skills training, a public policy center, professional and personal development workshops and classes, and more. Quantum LEAP partners people with disabilities along with non-challenged people in a variety of recreational activities for mutual learning and enjoyment. 

Service participants in this activity will assist LEAP participants at the dance; this may include hands-on assistance. There will be a DJ and food and beverages will be served. Volunteers will help with registration, encourage LEAP participants to dance (and dance with them!), encourage general participation in any activities or games, assist those in wheelchairs, serve food and beverages, and help clean up. But the main thing is to provide interaction with the participants and have fun!

NOTE: In order to participate in service with Quantum LEAP, volunteers will be asked to complete an application and waiver in the transport van on the way to service.

Huron Hospital, a Cleveland Clinic hospital, is an acute care, teaching hospital located in East Cleveland. This not-for-profit teaching hospital has provided nationally-recognized health care and outreach programs for those in need for over 135 years. Huron Hospital offers medical services in cancer care, critical care, geriatrics medicine, cardiac care, infectious disease and surgical care. Also, Huron is a leading facility for the care of diabetic patients and complications associated with this disease. A behavioral medicine component providing adult, inpatient mental health, outpatient chemical dependency and detoxification services and a Women’s Health Center with a full range of gynecological and obstetrical care and outpatient pediatrics are located on the hospital’s campus. Huron Hospital’s mission is to be the health care provider of choice in the communities it serves by continuously improving its delivery of services as part of the Cleveland Clinic Health System.

Service participants at Huron Hospital assist  in a variety of activities. Service participants assisting with the "Stork's Nest" program provide child care to the children of expectant parents who are attending parenting workshops and other hospital programs.

NOTE: Moderate to heavy lifting may be involved in this service activity. If you are not comfortable with this type of service, please choose a different service activity.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cleveland is a private, non-profit organization providing hospitality, meals, and support to homeless families through a network of religious congregations and community organizations. IHN mobilizes Greater Cleveland’s religious and civic community to respond to the needs of our community’s most vulnerable: homeless families.

Participants in this service project assist in moving a formerly-homeless family into their new home. Service typically begins at a local warehouse where furniture and other necessary household items are picked up and loaded into a truck. Participants then deliver the items to the home and assist the family with moving in.

A Cleveland Catholic Charities Community Services Program, Fatima Family Center is a multi-purpose neighborhood center serving the Hough-Central area.  Each year, JCU sponsors a series of activities in support of the Fatima Food Drive, the goal of which is to supply over 100 families with food during the Thanksgiving holiday season. These activities include a 5K Run, a neighborhood collection, and various on-campus support activities. 

This activity involves loading frozen turkeys into the delivery truck and delivering them and other food supplies to the Fatima Family Center. Service participants should dress appropriately, as this activity involves some work outside. 

NOTE: This activity begins on the campus of John Carroll University.  Participants should meet on the steps of the administration building, below the clock tower, at 7:00am sharp. 

The Labre Project is a JCU student organization through which JCU students, faculty, and administrators provide food, supplies, and friendship to people experiencing homelessness in Cleveland. The Labre Project began at JCU in October of 2004 and is named after St. Benedict Joseph Labre, the patron saint of the homeless.  Every Friday night, participants join in preparing a meal and gathering books, clothing, batteries, and supplies to distribute to over 120 people across the Cleveland area. The evening begins and ends with a brief ecumenical service and period of reflection.

Participants in this activity will assist with a "Labre Donation Sorting" event. Labre relies on a near-constant flow of donations that must be sorted and catalogued in order to be effectively distributed to those in need. Labre staff notes that "sorting days are fun, because it's a great way to help us out and build community at the same time. The work is not strenuous--and sometimes we'll let you take home a souvenir!" 

The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

This service project includes assisting in the center's hot meals program, which typically serves the elderly, children, and local residents in need. Service particpants may help in room set up, meal preparation, serving, and cleaning up after the meal.

The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

This service project includes assisting in the center's hot meals program, which typically serves the elderly, children, and local residents in need. Service particpants may help in room set up, meal preparation, serving, and cleaning up after the meal.

MedWish International is a non-profit organization committed to the recovery and recycling of donated medical supplies that area healthcare providers must discard. These life-saving supplies are made available to those providing medical care in developing countries throughout the world. Globally, the MedWish International program improves the quality of medical care available to the underserved around the world; locally, we are effectively reducing the amount of solid waste deposited in landfills. MedWish International also serves as a resource for local health-care professionals and charitable organizations interested in global health.

On the first Saturday of every month from 10 am- 12:30 pm MedWish International hosts "Sorting Parties" in which medical professionals and JCU service participants work together at the warehouse to sort through the donated medical supplies. JCU volunteers work to form piles of “like” items and then the medical volunteers identify each pile and place it into inventory. Beverages and snacks are served.

It's Fall Clean-Up time at Ronald McDonald House!

Service participants in this activity will assist in fall clean-up and landscaping at the Ronald McDonald house. Activities will include weeding, raking leaves, picking up litter, planting, and other yard maintenance activities. All tools and work gloves will be provided, as well as beverages and snacks.

NOTE: This activity will take place OUTSIDE. Participants are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather.

NOTE: This activity is restricted to students in Dr. Linda Seiter's Intro to Software Development course ONLY.

The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

Service participants will work with children at TBC and provide instruction using a 3D programming environment to create an animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game, or crafting a video to share on the web.

IMPORTANT: Participants MUST sign in and out on the Participant Service Hour Tracking form at TBC EVERY time they participate in service. Failure to do so may result in not getting credit for service time or in removal from the activity.  Please see the site coordinator, Sylvia Little Harris or Barbara Price, to sign in/out.

Make A Difference Day is the most encompassing national day of helping others -- a celebration of neighbors helping neighbors. Created by USA WEEKEND Magazine, Make A Difference Day is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. 

John Carroll University participates in Make A Difference Day as part of its annual Fatima Family Center Food Drive. A Cleveland Catholic Charities Community Services Program, Fatima Family Center is a multi-purpose neighborhood center serving the Hough-Central area.  Each year, JCU sponsors a series of activities in support of the Fatima Food Drive, the goal of which is to supply over 100 families with food during the Thanksgiving holiday season. These activities include a 5K Run, a neighborhood collection, and various on-campus support activities. 

This activity involves collecting in the local community. Service participants should come dressed for the weather, as much of this activity involves walking from door to door to pick up bags of donated food.

IMPORTANT: This activity takes in and around the campus of John Carroll University.  Participants will be notified by email of where to meet shortly before the date of the activity. 

Cultivating Community Day is an annual spring event in which John Carroll University students, faculty, staff, and alumni join together with neighborhood residents in the Hough community for a day of service, fellowship, and fun.

Participants in this activity will work together to prepare the community garden site for the winter.

NOTE: This activity takes place OUTSIDE, rain or shine.  Participants should come dressed appropriately for the weather! Work gloves and tools will be provided. 

Coventry Peace is sponsoring their FALL CLEAN-UP on Saturday, October 10, 2009 from 9am to 3 pm! Volunteers are needed to help with raking, weeding, and general landscape maintenance.  It's a great opportunity to get outside, work with your neighbors, play with some kids, and have some fun.

Gloves, tools and LUNCH will be provided for all volunteers!

The Thea Bowman Center (TBC) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to be an ongoing beacon of hope to the Mt Pleasant Community. TBC demonstrates its commitment to the people of the community by:

• Helping people by encouraging and enhancing healthy relationships.
• Organizing programs of assistance and mentoring.
• Promoting empowerment of the community.
• Educating people through social, health and wellness, cultural, and spiritual activities.

This service project includes assisting in the center's hot meals program, which typically serves the elderly, children, and local residents in need. Service particpants may help in room set up, meal preparation, serving, and cleaning up after the meal.