Student Christian Service

Our Christian Service Program is reflective of our school motto, Spiritus Donorum (Spirit of Giving,) which reflects the example of our patron, Saint Juan Diego, a poor Aztec willing to do God's will, and our benefactors, Sam and Aline Skaggs, whose selfless giving allows this JDCHS community to develop our talents for building the Kingdom of God. Juan Diego Catholic High School includes Christian Service as an integral part of our total program to prepare our students to be socially responsible and to answer the call to be a person of justice.

Over the course of four years at Juan Diego, students complete a significant number of service hours. Each student should complete a minimum of 25 hours per academic year.  We encourage students to seek out direct service opportunities that serve the marginalized of our greater Salt Lake Community, especially the poor, sick, hungry, elderly, challenged, and youth. Service should be performed without compensation, at a nonprofit, people-helping agency, or an organization whose mission is to directly assist the disadvantaged, homeless, hungry, sick, developmentally or physically challenged, children, or elderly of our community, and whose mission would otherwise suffer without community support. Service completed in an educational setting or at a place of worship is also recommended.

If a student is unsure about an opportunity, they are encouraged to contact or meet with Mr. Brunetti, Ms. Moynihan, or their counselor to ensure that their service hours reflect the service program’s requirements. 

Christian Service completed over the summer may count towards the following school year’s requirement. Students who have served as overnight camp counselors or attended a summer mission experience are asked to meet with Mr. Brunetti or Ms. Moynihan to discuss the experience and how many hours may qualify for service.  

The following are wonderful volunteer activities but since they serve the student's personal, school family, or community rather than the marginalized, they DO NOT meet the Service Requirement:

• Unpaid services or short term chores for family members, friends, and neighbors, i.e. babysitting, tutoring siblings or neighbor’s children, animal care, lawn care, house sitting or repairs, garage sales, moving, shopping, baking or cooking for an organization, function, individual or donation, working at a relative’s business, will not be counted towards Christian Service hours.

• Activities related to the regular participation in your parish, ward, synagogue, Mosque or your chosen faith. These include ushering, serving on the altar, reading or other activities related to church services that are done because you are a supportive member of your faith community. 

• Activities that are more properly regarded as supportive of JDCHS, or a requirement for a class, team, or club, such as decorating for an event, ticket taking, club functions, team or club fundraising, working a concession stand, scoring, timekeeping, parking cars, etc.

• Door-to-door soliciting, shopping, fundraising, or item collections for donating.

• Political activities, office help, or community functions, which are politically based.

Students are encouraged to track their hours individually.

Hours do not roll over from year to year, but we encourage all students to serve generously beyond the minimum 25 hours per academic year. Students who, in an academic year, exceed 50 service hours may apply to be considered for the Dorothy Day award; those who exceed 100 hours, for the Saint Teresa of Calcutta award. Students must apply during Semester 2 to be considered for these awards, which are presented at the Annual Awards Assembly. All students will be invited to apply and the process will be explained. It is each student’s responsibility to serve, log and obtain verification of all hours served to apply for a service award.

Note: If you are a parent who has questions regarding Parent Volunteer Hours please contact Mrs. April van der Sluys