Learning to Serve is primarily a second semester service and mentoring program for freshman led by a council of upperclassmen. Small groups of freshman, each led by one or two council members, spend 4-5 hours a week volunteering in the Boston community. Student involvement at placements ranges from tutoring at local schools to participating in organized activities at Boys and Girls Clubs or assisting in local homeless shelters. Bi-weekly, the small groups meet for reflection upon their service experiences, as well as to discuss Boston College freshman issues in general. In the remaining weeks, the group meets as a whole to either take part in orientation or community-building activities or to hear from various speakers from BC Residential Life employees to community leaders and organizers. Learning to Serve is not only an exciting opportunity for freshmen to get acquainted with each other and the city of Boston, but it is also an introduction to what it really means to be men and women for others.

The Learning to Serve Council is comprised of approximately 12 upperclassmen. The council members will lead groups of three to five freshmen to various community service placements around Boston. Council members are expected to lead group reflections and to serve as a resource for freshmen bonding and participation in the Boston College community.

Click here to download the Learning to Serve application for freshmen (Updated 09/14/2006).

For more information, please contact Mike Korb.