The JCU's Community Service program’s slogan is: “I C-A-R-E!” which stands for the core values that we strive to implement: Community, Awareness, Respect and Empowerment. The Program offers many different service opportunities throughout the semester and also gives students the possibility to be awarded with an official Certificate of Participation for volunteering with our affiliated associations.
The Community Service Program’s objective is to build a caring community that is aware and respectful of the diverse realities that surround us. The Program is based on learning from these differences, and aims to enforce a give and take process: it seeks to empower the local Community by helping out in every possible way, but also aspires for students to be empowered through the volunteering opportunities.
Our goals are:
Here are some achievements of the Community Service Program in the 2023/2024 academic year:
The Service Cord is a recognition of a student’s outstanding contribution to the field of Community Service. Graduating seniors who have extensively volunteered, going above and beyond the call of duty in the community, while upholding the spirit of the JCU mission, are awarded this cord.
Requirements:
The Community Service Program gives students the opportunity to receive a Certificate of Participation they can include on their international resume. This certificate recognizes an individual’s dedication to volunteer work while at John Cabot University.
Requirements:
John Cabot University has established a great relationship with EMATOS FIDAS, the Italian Blood Donors Associations Federation, which is located inside the Fatebenefratelli Hospital. Students have the possibility of donating blood at this Hospital and are accompanied by the Community Service Coordinator.
The Bice Porcu Foster Care Home, located in via del Casaletto, hosts children from various international backgrounds between the ages of two and eighteen. JCU students volunteer their time by creating and delivering early learning programming.
The International Women’s House is a shelter, located just around the corner from John Cabot University, for women who have been victims of violence. The Organization offers a variety of services to empower women ranging from art lessons to self-defense classes. JCU students volunteer their time by teaching English.
Centro Italiano di Solidarietà is an association founded upon the desire to generate solutions and build a community of support for those dealing with difficulties. They offer a large array of services to the public such as: treatment of drug abuse, mental health care, and family counseling among many others. JCU students volunteer their time at the Center by teaching English to middle and high school students from different backgrounds.
The Centro Diurno offers a safe and inclusive space for those who have difficulty socializing and engaging with the community. JCU students have the opportunity to contribute to an art project, where drawing is the common language to build relationships between participants.
The Church of S. Lucia del Gonfalone, located in via dei Banchi Vecchi, provides a variety of services to the marginalized communities. JCU students volunteer their time assisting Father Franco in the distribution of breakfast, clothing and hygiene items.
The Community of Sant'Egidio was created in 1968 and has over 60,000 members today. It is a movement of lay people that are dedicated to charity in Rome as well as all over the world. JCU students can volunteer their time preparing meals at San Bartolomeo, on the Tiber Island, and walk around the neighborhood distributing food to the needy of Trastevere.
The mission of the Italian Red Cross is to improve the lives of vulnerable people, both nationally and internationally, especially in the fields of relief, health, social care and youth. JCU students organize and lead projects, such as painting the common rooms in the structure, to beautify the Secondary Welcome Center, along with the asylum seeking guests.
Grassroots is the environmental club at John Cabot University. One Sunday each month, the students get together and pick up trash in the Trastevere area. Besides helping to clean the city environment, this volunteering opportunity is a great way for students to build a positive image of the university among local Romans. For more information please contact [email protected].
Hummustown helps refugees gain economic independence by providing them with a dignified income by learning how to cook, package and deliver delicious Syrian food around Rome. JCU students volunteer their time by teaching basic Italian to the Hummustown team!
The Leonarda Vaccari Institute is a public facility for mentally and physically disabled adults and children. This is a very unique structure where doctors are very friendly and where everyone is welcomed as a “guest” and not as a “patient.” Students are able to volunteer in many different ways such as helping build arts and crafts for theater productions at the Institute to assisting specialists in the “Special Aids Laboratory.”
Italy Reads is the flagship program for JCU’s Programs for High Schools. It is John Cabot University's community-based reading and cultural exchange program that began in 2009 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts for The Big Read Rome. Each program has a minimum time commitment expected of you during the semester – you are always welcome to do more!
The suite of programs that have evolved over the past 16 years are administered by the Vice President of Academics’ Office.
All programs will provide opportunities for you to get to know Italian high school students, help them as they learn new skills while developing projects and speaking English. You’ll experience Italy through the eyes of Italian youth and, why not, make a new friend or two.
Apply to become a JCU Student Mentor for Programs for Italian High Schools.
The Joel Nafuma Refugee Center is a day center for refugees and asylum seekers where they can relax, learn and receive advice in order to achieve their goals. JCU students volunteer their time by helping to organize recreational activities in the center (e.g. playing board games).
Students can volunteer their time at L’ARCA, located by Ciampino, in a Community made up of people with and without physical and intellectual disabilities. The main goal at l’ARCA is to make new friends and give a hand in the variety of laboratories that the association offers. Volunteers are required to have beginners to intermediate knowledge of the Italian language.
LDS Charities is a world-wide humanitarian organization focusing on self-reliance. Located inside the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, LDS Charities offers a variety of activities ranging from cooking classes to first-aid courses for migrants and refugees. JCU students volunteer their time teaching English, Italian and computer skills alongside the missionaries of LDS.
The John Cabot University STAND branch, created in 2009, was the first STAND branch in Europe. STAND is a student-led international NGO founded in 2004 whose mission is to end genocide and other mass atrocities around the world. Our chapter, however, extends its mission to various human rights issues and focuses on improving the lives of refugees and migrants here in Rome, Italy. STAND currently carries out community service activities at the three Centers: TuttoBlue Arte e Sociale, Vo.Re.Co and the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center. For more information please contact [email protected].
JCU students get together and walk to Piazza Mastai where they meet up with volunteers from the RomAltruista Organization and hand out breakfast (coffee, milk, cornetti, biscuits, and pizza) to the homeless and needy of Trastevere.
Vo.Re.Co offers a vast array of services including psychological and legal counseling services, breakfast and dinner delivery to the less fortunate, and provides temporary shelter to underprivileged fathers who have children hospitalized at Bambin Gesù. JCU students volunteer their time by helping with the distribution of dinners and cleanup of the Center.
For more information, email [email protected].
Interested in making your experience at JCU even more international? Willing to dedicate about 20 hours over the semester of your time? Ready to meet Italian high school students? Volunteer for our programs with over 100 Italian high schools! You'll meet them remotely and/or in person, at their school or at JCU.
Find out more and join one or more of the five JCU's Programs for High Schools, and become a Mentor to students.
Join two of JCU’s Programs for High Schools and become a Mentor to students.
All activities are in English. Learn about inter-cultural collaboration, meet people who might one day be colleagues in an international job, and receive a Certificate of Participation to add to your international study profile. The time you dedicate to these programs is recognized toward your Community Service Certificate. Register to become a Mentor.
For Italy Reads (October-April): you will lead discussions (in English) and work with students in their preparation of a short video inspired by the annually selected work of American literature, and mentor students in their preparation of interviews and a newsletter.
For Italy Starts (Spring semester): you will guide students in their research and development of a proposal for a business idea that addresses an environmental issue.
For Italy Pitches, Italy Writes and How to Write a Successful VC and Techniques for Public Speaking (October-April): you will collaborate with the teachers that are conducting workshops for their students in the context of these programs.
Questions? Write to [email protected].
All John Cabot University students are responsible for upholding standards of conduct detailed in the Student Handbook, within the University as well as within the local community.
The following rules of basic etiquette are expected of students for all Community Service initiatives:
Destruction of property
Intentionally or recklessly damaging, vandalizing, destroying, or tampering with University property, property of other persons, or partner organization is prohibited.
Identification
All students must carry a John Cabot University Student ID and present it when requested by any official of the University, including members of the faculty, staff, and security guards.
Possession of dangerous weapons or materials
Dangerous weapons or materials of any kind, such as (but not limited to) firearms, martial arts weapons, knives, explosive devices, fireworks, ammunition, chemicals, or any item deemed to be dangerous by University Officials are not allowed on University premises and Community Service sites.
Respect
JCU students are expected to contribute to an expectation of mutual respect with all site participants. Students should make their supervisor aware of any concerns immediately so as to not jeopardize anyone's wellbeing during an event. JCU will not tolerate an atmosphere of disrespect or hostility.
Violence
Any act of physical violence or any act that causes personal injury to another person is strictly prohibited.
