Pier Giorgio Service Learning Program
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Cultivating the whole person
Here at Frassati Catholic High School, we strive to cultivate the whole person.
In order to do so, it is important to practice the corporal and spiritual works of mercy which are an integral part of our Catholic faith. Our patron, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassai lived out the Beatitudes in his daily life through acts of service towards others. The Service Learning Program seeks to provide our students with opportunities to live out their faith as Pier Giorgio did in his life. By teaching our students to serve God in the poor, the homeless, and other marginalized members of society, we endeavour to help them continue to mature in their faith and cultivate a joyful life of service.
Learn more about the different serving opportunities and expectations for each class at Frassati Catholic below.
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The freshmen of Frassati Catholic begin to develop the disposition of service by serving their school community. Freshmen are individually assigned a different duty each semester which they will do weekly or as needed for the common good. Their faithfulness to this task is reflected in a quarterly grade in their Religion class."Wash the plate, not because it is dirty or because you are told to wash it, but because you love the person who will use it next." - St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta
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Our sophomores take what they have learned by serving their school and put it into action in the local community. Sophomores participate in monthly Pier Giorgio Days which consist of a half day of classes and a half day of service. For the half day of service, the students board buses and travel together to work on a service project in our area.“…To serve the poor is to go to God. You must see God in the faces of the poor.” - St. Vincent de Paul
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Juniors learn how to make an authentic gift of time by participating in weekend service projects. In their first semester, juniors will choose 3 Service Saturday opportunities offered by the school to complete a service project.
In their second semester, juniors are required to complete 20 hours of service with local agencies or parishes that serve those who are maginalized, underprivileged, or underserved. This could include service to the elderly, the poor, the homeless, the sick/dying, the disabled, and children who are poor/at risk/special needs. Teaching religious education would also fulfill the requirement. Students should refer to their Google Classroom for a more detailed explanation of what does and does not count for creditable service hours at Frassati Catholic. See the FAQ section below for answers to common service hour questions as well.
For a list of pre-approved service agencies, scroll to the last section of this page. Work with the agencies listed there does not need prior approval. Students must simply bring a service log with them to each day of service and obtain a signature from an appropriate supervisor to receive credit.
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Building on the experiences from their Junior year, Seniors in their first semester will coordinated and complete 20 hours of service with a local agency that serves a marginalized or underserved community. They will be able to develop lasting relationships with those they serve by selecting and serving with one organization for the whole 20 hours. This also allows our students to take on more leadership roles within their chosen service and sets them up well to continue a life of service long after they have graduated. Students will reflect on their time of service in a Digital Scrapbook project submitted at the end of the fall semester.
In their second semester, Seniors complete a service learning project within the context of the Ethics and Culture Seminar course. Seniors will group themselves into small teams, identify a need or problem in the Houston community, analyze its root causes, select a solution, and then implement it. This capstone service project prepares students to be magnanimous leaders who contribute to a culture of life in which people truly flourish.
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"Jesus comes every day to visit me sacramentally in the Eucharist;
I return the visit by going to find him among the poor."
- Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes! Service done with any of the organizations listed at the bottom of this page have already been approved.
Note: Work done at these organizations does not need prior authorization to obtain credit. However, please note that donations or work done at home (assembling kits, cooking meals, gathering donations, etc.) cannot count. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
We are adding new organizations every day so, if you have a recommendation or request, please fill out this form. Due to the high volume of requests for approval, please inquire with enough time for a 2 week response window.
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This school year ( 2024 -2025 ) we will be utilizing a new tracking system called Mobile Serve. Students can electronically update their logs and track their progress by logging into their account. Make sure to get a signature from an appropriate supervisor each time you serve ( ie. someone with the organization who witnessed the service work and is not a parent )! Students can collect signatures directly on their phones using the Mobile Serve App or by uploading a photo/scan of the paper logs ( located in their Google Classroom ) via the Mobile Serve web account. If you forgot to get a signature, simply input the supervisor's email on your log to get your hours electronically verified. Just make sure to put the date and time you served so that the supervisor knows what exactly they are signing for.
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While service is not something you can study for, a student's participation in the Service Learning program does still indicate mastery over the material being taught in our religion cirriculumm. Religion courses are unique from most academic work in that, in order to truly grasp the material, it must be integrated into a student's life. The service learning program is one way that we as a school are able to help educate our students on what it truly means to be men & women of the beatitudes and to live an integrated life of faith in a wholistic way.
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Service to the school cannot count towards the Service Learning requirement for upperclassmen. This includes serving as a tutor, helping set up/tear down for events, or being part of the liturgy team. Check with the current head of NHS to confirm if a particular school event you have in mind counts toward your NHS requirements.
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Juniors and Seniors can count up to 10 hours from the summer towards their goal and may start doing service as early as the June leading into their respective school year.
Junior service hours are due in May and they can count up to 10 hours that were done between June - December of their junior year (outside of the Service Saturdays) towards the total 20 hours required of them. There is no restriction on the number of organizations that a Junior may work with to reach this goal.
Seniors, however, are asked to complete all 20 hours ( due in December of their Senior year ) with the same organization. Therefore, as long as the service work meets the requirements and the organization remains the same, a senior may do 10 hours in the summer and 10 hours in the fall. Please note that this does make seniors ineligble to do "one-off" summer service events like VBS or mission trips as those will not be available to them in the fall.
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While this is a lovely way to actively participate in our faith, most local parishes do not qualify as an underpriviledged or underserved community. Please check with Ms. Vuyk to confirm if you think your group fits this exception.
No time spent fulfilling one's Sunday obligation will be eligible for credit.
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This is a great way to serve young children and share our faith! Incoming Juniors may count up to 10 hours from the summer & fall of their Junior year towards their Spring requirement of 20 hours. However, since incoming seniors are supposed to complete all their hours with the same organization, they will be ineligible to do their hours with VBS or any other organization that they will be unable to continue serving with in the fall.
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The supervisor's signature on your service log is there to verify that they witnessed you perform the work of service and, since the supervisor who signs off on your hours cannot be a parent, all service must be done outside of the home in its entirety.
Please also note that the hours marked must also be actual hours served. This means you cannot get X number of hours for X number of things accomplished nor can you count hours that are spent sleeping or traveling.
Example: If you are delivering meals to hungry families in need with Meals on Wheels, that can count as service. However, assembling and decorating bags for the Breakfast Bags program cannot count.
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Tutoring at Frassati Catholic is not eligible for service hours (Note: NHS has different requirements. Please refer to NHS guidelines for NHS service hours.). If those who are receiving the instruction are in some way disenfranchised/marginalized/impoverished or are being catechized, these hours might count towards your service learning requirement. Please check with Ms. Vuyk to confirm if you think your group fits this exception. The same applies for coaching.
There has also historically been some confusion about what the "instructing the ignorant" spiritual work of mercy pertains to. This only applies to teaching those in need of moral intruction (ie. catechesis in relgious education can count, but your teacher instructing you on the pythagorean theorem does not.).
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This is a great way to participate in the spiritual work of mercy -"instructing the ignorant." Please make sure to bring your log to get it signed each and every time.
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Pre-Approved Service Organizations
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Anawim Thrift Shop
Location: 2102 Common St, Houston, TX; MAP
Website: Facebook page; Website
Contact: (832) 831-4196
Mission/Description: Part of the larger Magnificat House group, this thrift store helps fund local soup kitchens and homeless shelters. It additionally provides a training opportunity in the retail trades for residents of the shelters preparing to reenter the work force.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Best Buddies Texas
Website: https://bestbuddies.org/
Contact: Fill out this form on their website to be connected to local opportunities.
Mission/Description: Best Buddies International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
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Bridgewood Farms
Location: 11680 Rose Rd, Conroe, TX 77303
Website: http://www.bridgewoodfarms.org/
Contact: (936) 856-6460
Mission/Description: Bridgewood Farms provides programs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Clients can participate in skills that teach basic nutrition, money management, housekeeping, social interaction, and reading that are specific to the individual and their needs. Other programs include respite care, pre-vocational training, horticulture, ceramics, and Special Olympics Events.
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Camp Blessing Texas
Location: 7227 Camp Blessing Ln., Brenham, TX, 77833
Website: https://campblessing.org/
Contact: 281-259-5789; Emma Pounds [email protected]
Mission/Description: Camp Blessing is a residential Christian summer camp offering love, acceptance and fun to children and young adults with special needs and their siblings. We believe that our campers, regardless of ability level, should have all of the fun summer camp has to offer.
Note: This opportunity is only open to our rising Juniors as it is only offered in the summer.
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Shepherd's Garden
Location: Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community 18511 Klein Church Road Spring, TX 77379
Website: https://cgsccdogh.org/shepherds-garden
Contact: Contact Sheila Haskins at [email protected]
Mission/Description: Shepherd’s Garden is devoted to growing and harvesting fresh vegetables for those in need. The garden not only supplements but also improves the diets of families who subsist on canned goods and dry staples. Their Mission is to promote volunteer service, healthful and educational benefits of gardening, and to promote awareness of hunger in the local community.
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Grace Disability Ministry
Website: https://ignatiusloyola.org/grace-disability-ministry
Contact: [email protected]
Mission/Description: The Grace Disability Ministry strives to welcome persons with disabilities to parish events and offer assistance so that they can more readily attend Mass. They offer scheduled catechesis, spiritual support and social opportunities. They invite and encourage families to become active in their parish programs where they can be welcomed and accepted into the full life of the church. A monthly 'Saturday Social" event is scheduled each month. Gather in Sexton Hall at 6:30 p.m. for a potluck dinner and activities such as movies, ping pong, basketball, crafts and games.
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Habitat for Humanity of Harris County
Website: Volunteer Opportunities
Contact: For questions and/or scheduling, please contact: Lara Gunduz | (281) 477-0460 | [email protected]
Mission/Description: Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes. Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is an excellent way to meet new people and work toward a single mission- to build strong and stable communities because improved communities benefit all of us.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County ReStore
Location: 9407 SH 242 Conroe, TX 77385
Website: https://habitatmctx.org/restore/volunteer-at-restore/
Contact: Call 936-441-5888 or contact Ida Weaver, ReStore Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected]
Mission/Description: Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery County, TX is a non-profit organization serving low-income individuals and families by providing affordable housing that is safe and economically sustainable. Part of the daily needs of the ReStore include volunteers that help shoppers and donors load and unload their purchases and donations. Additionally, displays require maintenance, new inventory needs to be logged and tagged for sale, and occasionally there is a need for additional phone and email support.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Henry's Home
Location: 14638 Perry Rd, Conroe, TX 77302
Website: https://henryshomesanctuary.org/
Contact: 888-910-3747; [email protected]
Mission/Description: This organization is considered a sanctuary for both horses and humans as it offers equine therapy for veterans and first responders with rescued horses.
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Homeplace of Texas
Location: 7135 Louetta Road, Suite O Spring, TX 77379
Website: https://www.hpotx.org/
Contact: (281) 257-1004
Mission/Description: Home Place of Texas is a non-profit organization that works with adults with disabilities. They are a non-denominational, faith-based organization that strives to allow individuals to build relationships with God and others through our various programs, which include weekly Bible studies, residential living, day programs, community volunteering, and recreation.
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Houston Food Bank
Website: HFB Volunteer Page
Mission/Description: Around 1 million people in the 18 southeast Texas counties served by Houston Food Bank are considered food insecure, meaning they lack consistent access to enough nutritious food to fuel a healthy life. In order to address this issue, the Houston Food Bank distributes food and other essentials to those in need through a network of more than 1,600 community partners.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Location: 4242 Interfaith Way, The Woodlands, TX 77381
Website: https://woodlandsinterfaith.org/volunteer/
Contact: Call 832.615.8202, email [email protected], or sign up directly HERE
Mission/Description: The mission of Interfaith is "building a more loving and caring community through service." Volunteers are needed at the Hand Me Up Shop to sort donations, price items, greet customers.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Loaves & Fishes Soup Kitchen
Location: 2009 Congress St, Houston, TX 77002; MAP
Website: https://mhihouston.org/how-to-help/volunteers/
Contact: Meredith Vaughan at [email protected] or call (206) 915-2747.
Mission/Description: Loaves & Fishes is a large soup kitchen in downtown Houston where 300-350 of Houston’s chronically hungry gather six days a week for nutritious, hot, home-cooked meals cooked by our staff and served by volunteers. Volunteers are always needed to help us provide a daily average of 350 free hot meals to chronically hungry guests. We serve lunch Tuesday through Saturday at 11:00 am and breakfast on Sunday at 8:30 am.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Mercy House
Location: 11510 FM 1488 Building F Magnolia, TX 77354
Website: http://mercyhouseglobal.org/
Contact: 832-652-3762
Mission/Description:Founded in 2010 by north Houston native Kristen Welch, Mercy House fully funds two maternity homes in Kenya. In 2013, they launched a new initiative called Fair Trade Friday that tackles poverty through job opportunity and empowerment. 100% of the proceeds support the artisans, who are thousands of women and their children around the world. Our students will help at their warehouse, packaging products for Fair Trade Fridays.
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Montgomery County Food Bank
Location:
1 Food for Life Way
Conroe, TX 77385
Website: http://mcfoodbank.org/
Contact:
936-271-8800
[email protected]
Mission/Description: The Food Bank collects and distributes more than 8.1 million pounds of food each year to people living in Montgomery County. Currently, the Food Bank serves an average of 35,000 individuals each month. Our students will help sort and pack food so that it can be redistributed to those who need it.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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Montgomery County Women's Center
Location:
CONROE OFFICE
1401 Airport Road
Conroe, TX 77301
SOMETHING SPECIAL STORE
19073 1-45 South
Shenandoah, TX 77385
281.292.0443
THE WOODLANDS OFFICE
1600 Lake Front Circle, Suite 130
The Woodlands, TX 77380
Website: https://mcwctx.org/
Contact: Call 936-441-4044, ext. 45 or email [email protected] to get involved
Mission/Description: The Montgomery County Women's Center seeks to lead the effort in preventing Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault through crisis intervention, assistance, advocacy, empowerment, and social change. Our many services are made possible by those who generously donate their time as volunteers! There are a variety of opportunities if you can help: administration, resale store, working with clients, answering the hotline. If you would like to learn more, please go to our Volunteer page. We would love to have you join us!
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Northwest Assistance Ministries
Location: 15555 Kuykendahl Road Houston, TX 77090
Website: https://www.namonline.org/
Contact: Call (281) 885-4604 or email [email protected]
Mission/Description: Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is a nonprofit, community-based, multi-program social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas including food, shelter, health, education, safety and financial education. Our service area covers over 660 square miles of northwest Harris County, an area with over 1,500,000 residents.
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Reach Unlimited
Location: 11832 Mueller Cemetery Road Cypress, TX 77429
Website: https://www.reachunlimited.org/
Contact: (281) 213-8132
Mission/Description: We believe that individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve to live a life full of joy, purpose, and accomplishment in a safe and caring environment. Reach Unlimited assists individuals where they are today and equips them to achieve their personal goals. Through a body, mind, and spirit approach, each individual is able to grow and fully participate in an enriched environment.
Volunteers at Reach enrich the lives of members by engaging in meaningful interactions and forming positive relationships. Volunteers are an essential part of what makes Reach a fun place to be.
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Special Olympics Texas
Website: https://www.sotx.org/
Contact: Call us at 512.835.9873 or contact your local area office.
Mission/Description:
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
Volunteers are the lifeline of the Special Olympics program. These volunteers serve as coaches, officials, committee members, competition assistants, speech coaches and much more. There are more than 4,051 volunteer coaches involved in the program.
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St. Anthony's Bread
Location: 7801 Bay Branch Drive The Woodlands, TX 77382
Website: https://ap.church/ministries/outreach/food-pantry/
Contact: 281.419.8700
Mission/Description:
St. Anthony’s Bread is the food pantry of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Serving thousands of families every month, we are proud to help support our community by providing nutritious meals to those in need.
Note: Service AT this organization will count. However, donations to the organization cannot. Any hours signed for must reflect time spent with the organization and must be signed for by a supervisor who witnessed that work of service other than a parent.
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St. Dominic Village: A Senior Care Community
Location:
2401 Holcombe Blvd
Houston TX 77021
Website: https://www.stdominicvillage.org/
Contact:
Dcn. Alonso M. Martinez, Director of Spiritual Care and Volunteers, 713-741-8718 or via email at [email protected]
Mission/Description:
At St. Dominic Village we believe that the most vulnerable among us deserve to be protected and cared for–regardless of the cost. This is why, as the only Catholic senior care community in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, we’ve provided a welcoming and safe home for nearly 30,000 residents since 1975.
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Vacation Bible School
Reach out to your local parish to see if they are hosting Vacation Bible School this summer!
JUNIORS: Incoming Juniors may count up to 10 hours from the summer & fall of their Junior year towards their Spring requirement of 20 hours. If you would like to keep a record of all hours served, these can contribute towards achieving the St. Catherine of Siena Award.
SENIORS: Since seniors are supposed to complete all their hours with the same organization, they will be ineligible to do their hours with VBS or any other organization that they will be unable to continue serving with in the fall.
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