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Grace J. Palmisano Center for Campus Ministry

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Service Opportunities

Defining the Merrimack Experience

The growth of students not only intellectually but also spiritually and morally, is the foundation of our Augustinian heritage with its emphasis on community life and serving one another.

It is a powerful combination of academic excellence integrated with the enriching experience of community service that shapes our students and guides them to a rich and fulfilling life.

The College promotes a cooperative approach among members of the college to teaching and learning, to research, and to social justice in sustaining the College’s responsibility as a partner among neighboring communities.

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ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK (ASB)

Click here for ASB App

  • Working in a soup kitchen.
  • Volunteering at an Augustinian orphanage or school.
  • Building and repairing homes.
  • Beautifying a neighborhood environment. 

These are but a few of the volunteer activities that many Merrimack College students and their advisors perform every year during Alternative Spring Break (ASB), a tradition on the Merrimack campus for nearly 50 years. During their various locations across the United States and internationally, students become involved in communities and are exposed to different cultures. These experiences encourage a lifetime of civic involvement, and often for the first time, students see the struggles that others must endure.  Students raise their own funds to cover program expenses, transportation, food, and supplies for each service site.

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ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK (AWB) 

This past winter break, 26 Merrimack students traveled to Washington D.C. and Kennsington, P.A. Both groups of students worked with and learned from each community. Philadelphia students had the opportunity to participate in every aspect of running a soup kitchen. They helped to serve over 300 homeless individuals twice a day at St. Francis Inn.

Students in D.C. experienced first had what it is like to live on less that $4.00 a day while also helping to serve the homeless and the elderly. While connecting with each community these students were able to grow closer as a group and have experienced unforgetable trip that will remain with them forever.

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OTHER SERVICE AND JUSTICE & PEACE OPPORTUNITIES 

  • MERRIMACTION - weekly, monthly, one-time service opportunities. 
  • MERRIMACK IN THE CITY DAY - once each semester to reach out to needs in our local communities.
  • HIKE FOR HOPE - Fall pledge walk to benefit Lazarus House in Lawrence.
  • THANKSGIVING BASKET DRIVE - opportunity to offer a Thanksgiving meal to families in need.
  • CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - opportunity to care for people in need in the Lawrence area during the Christmas season.
  • SWEEPS WEEK - end of the academic year opportunity to support families in need by recycling clothing, housewares, food, etc. before returning home.
  • JUSTICE & PEACE COALITION - student-led opportunities to become aware of social justice issues in our society and world.

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For more information please contact:

Brian Suehs-Vassel
 Assistant Director of Campus Ministry
SuehsVasselB@merrimack.edu
978-837-5453