Senior Service is a tradition at University of Detroit Jesuit where Seniors volunteer at various service sites every other Wednesday for 6 hours. This opportunity gives Seniors the opportunity to make a positive impact in communities around the Metro Detroit area.
The process starts at the end of Junior year where students select their three top choices where they would like to serve at options that include schools, community service sites, and medical facilities. Over the summer, students are expected to write emails introducing themselves to their site and complete any prerequisites if there are any. Once school starts in the fall, Mrs. Tague, the Senior Service Coordinator, organizes Orientation meetings to give students guidelines on how to make the most of their experience.
For the first time ever, Senior Service is a full day instead of a half day. Last year, students would report to their service sites every Wednesday in the morning and serve for a few hours, and then they would come to school for their last few periods of the day. Now, students report to their service sites every other Wednesday and serve for a full day. Mrs. Tague says, “One of the reasons Senior Service was changed was to give students a more in-depth experience of serving.” By serving for a full day instead of a half day, students can give more to their sites, without feeling rushed with getting the tasks done
Students will also meet in groups to discuss how Senior Service relates to the U of D Jesuit values of being Open to Growth, Loving, Intellectually Competent, and Committed to Doing Justice. Students will make two presentations at the end of the second semester. The first is a presentation to the Class of 2025 to give them a chance to start thinking about what Senior Service site they would want to serve at. The second presentation is when students will also create an individual presentation where they will show how much they have learned at their Senior Service site.
Here are some brief overviews of what some seniors are doing at their sites. At Corewell Health-Troy, U of D Senior Jack Gryebet spends his time in hospitality and spiritual care. The first half of his day is spent on hospitality, which is working at the front desk directing people to where they need to be, delivering flowers to patients’ rooms, and talking with guests who wait in the lobby. The second half of his day is spent in spiritual care which is where he goes around the 4th floor to give patients the Eucharist as a Eucharistic Minister or prays with patients. Jack says, “I enjoy being a part of the spiritual care department and going around to see patients because most of them are stuck in bed all day with nothing to do. I want to brighten every patient’s day.” At Sinai Grace Hospital, Ryan Hall makes patients’ lives better by getting them water when they are thirsty or propping their beds to make them feel more comfortable. Ryan says, “I am interested in becoming a doctor and working at Sinai Grace gives me an opportunity to see how to take care of patients.”
At The James and Grace Lee Boggs School, U of D Senior Henry Balasia works with young students by playing with them and teaching them basic math and reading skills. Henry is an immense help to the teachers because he supervises the kids during recess and lunch and is there if the teachers ever need help. Henry shows how much he likes his service site by saying, “I like getting to know the kids and feel like I’m actually making a difference.” U of D Senior Chris Rupp volunteers at Bagley Elementary and assists a 5th grade English class. He likes working with the teacher and interacting with the young students. Chris says, “I get a good feeling helping the kids with their studies and seeing them grow.” Both Henry and Chris enjoy working with kids and brightening up their days.
U of D Senior Frank Salzeider serves at the Another Way Pregnancy Center. For now, Frank is just doing chores, like taking out the trash and helping to organize boutiques but will eventually help counsel fathers. Frank says, “My favorite part is organizing the boutique because it allows the other person at the site and me to talk and have a good time while making a difference.” Oliver Leeds volunteers at Case Community by helping in the kitchen to cook food and clean up. He says, “I enjoy cooking and it gives me a good experience of serving others while working with great people.”
The tradition of Senior Service is to give every student an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of those who need help. Each student will be spending over 80 hours at their sites and leaving an impression of themselves along with the school. Every student at U of D hears the phrase “be a Man for Others.” Seniors are truly living this phrase out by serving others through senior service. This experience is not just meant to be a participation exercise, it is to help develop boys into young men and to inspire them to make the world a better place.