PROJECT

COMPONENTS

Network HEART Projects are grounded in the criteria of Goal III and Catholic Social Teaching, and therefore include the key components listed below.

Purposeful Learning

Use various forms of teaching and educational materials to deepen participants’ understanding of social justice issues. Learning should be rooted in critical analysis that fosters awareness and informed decision-making. Purposeful Learning should include pre-project learning materials, a pre-project Zoom meeting, and opportunities for immersive learning through speakers and connections with partnering organizations.

Engaged Action

Students are called to move beyond theoretical learning into meaningful action through active participation in initiatives that address injustice, promote human dignity, and contribute to the common good. Projects should foster authentic relationships with communities, emphasizing partnership, reciprocity, and deep respect for human dignity. Engagement should be rooted in listening, learning, and mutual collaboration rather than charity. Engaged Action is an intentionally broader term than service learning, designed to counteract the tendency to consider only traditional service projects as the best type of active learning that helps students appreciate the scope of justice issues.

Reflection & Contemplation

Time for reflection guided by Catholic Social Teaching and the Sacred Heart Way is essential to learning during these projects. The use of reflection allows students to examine their experiences, challenge their assumptions, and discern their role in addressing social injustices. Through this process, students can make informed decisions and act for justice. HEART projects should incorporate reflection at various times each day.

Communities of Mutual Respect

Fostering a sense of community is key to the success of these projects. Participants need to feel safe and cared for while at the same time understanding expectations during the project and as members of this community. Clear expectations should be set forth and modeled by the adults to create a sense of accountability for all. Allow for joy in the community.

Post-Action Project

The use of time during the final days of the project to allow participants to prepare a tangible representation of their learning to take back to school. The Network will provide more scaffolding in this area and host a virtual sharing experience with participants from all projects.

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