This Global Mobility Saturday experience empowers members of our community to further explore issues around human migration, and the barriers that immigrants and refugees face in the United States. This course will include volunteering at an organization in Worcester called the African Community Education (A.C.E.), which seeks to assist African refugee and immigrant youth and families in achieving educational success and socio-economic stability. A.C.E. currently enrolls over 340 children and parents in their programs each year, coming from 15 African countries throughout the continent. 

In this experiential class, you will be volunteering in A.C.E.’s Saturday Program, which takes a multi-faceted approach to education and provides students an ideal environment to develop social and life skills while promoting an appreciation of culture and one another. Throughout this experience, students provide academic support and develop leadership capacity, cultural expression, and community outreach. More information about A.C.E. can be found here.

Does Spring weather make you wish to get your hands dirty in the garden? Have you always wanted to start a garden but don't know how to begin? Are you concerned about the global food system and how you can make a difference? Did you know that St. Mark's has a community garden; we need your help!

This course will offer students the basics of how to create a garden in the community garden space, prepare the soil, choose the right fertilizers, and participate in field projects that include transplanting, weeding and harvesting. We will explore the complexities of the food systems through the use of relevant documentaries and the emerging science of food systems globally. 

Additionally in this class, you’ll also get to volunteer as a field assistant at a local farm. Last year, students visited a variety of local working farms such as Chestnut Hill Farm, located here in the town of Southborough. There are numerous opportunities nearby to see dedicated and passionate professionals preserving farmland, growing and raising food sustainably, and inviting the public to learn more about farms. As a non-profit and a Trustees property, the farm is also committed to a level of community engagement and education that goes beyond agriculture to include community building and support.

*All participants must wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing for weather conditions while working in the fields. You need to have and wear shoes and clothes that can get dirty. 

St. Mark’s has recently been designated a Unified Champion School. The mission of the Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools Program is to activate youth around the country in an effort to develop school communities where all young people are agents of change – fostering respect, dignity, and advocacy for people with intellectual disabilities by utilizing the programs and initiatives of Special Olympics. 

In this Saturday class, you will be a part of the Young Athletes program, providing sports skills for kids with and without intellectual disabilities here on St. Mark's campus! The goals of the program are to foster social inclusion and inclusive play/sports in schools and communities; to have children with and without intellectual disabilities play together to learn about and understand each other; to provide children with activities and games that meet their skill and ability levels; and to prepare children to engage in future Unified Sports programs by providing them with the basic skills and tools to succeed. More information about the Young Athletes Program can be found here.

Students who have already participated previously are encouraged to become teaching assistants, please connect with teachers.

This exciting partnership with Progente Connections, an organization dedicated to promoting education and social development. Progente has a particular focus on helping immigrant communities currently living in Framingham and in the MetroWest area, just a fifteen minute drive from here! According to the Boston Globe, this is the largest Brazilian community in Massachusetts, and one of the largest in the United States (link takes you to vibrant article from November 2022).

As a volunteer teacher for this class, you'll have the opportunity to work directly with beginning English language learners each week, in partnership with another St. Mark’s Student. You will not have to plan lessons, as everything is provided using the Intercambio textbook, a proven method for teaching English through engaging conversations and interactions. If desired, you could enhance the learning experience and get creative with your lessons, incorporating fun activities like games and group projects. By the end of this course, your students will have improved their English language skills! Many of the participants at Progente are parents looking to better communicate with the teachers and administrators at their children’s schools. Some may even be able to get better jobs, or raises, as their language proficiency and confidence improves.

In this Saturday class, you will have the rewarding opportunity to volunteer at the New England Center for Children (NECC) in Southborough. NECC is dedicated to creating a global network of educators, researchers, and programs to help individuals with autism live fuller lives. The students at NECC, much like those at St. Mark’s, range from ages 3 to 22 and attend either as day students or residents. The curriculum covers everything from foundational skills such as attention, imitation, and self-care to academic subjects like reading, math, and science. For older students, the focus shifts to vocational skills both in school and the community.

This field experience allows you to observe, participate in, and lead groups with cognitively delayed peers, providing support tailored to each student's level of functioning and learning objectives. You'll gain a deeper understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and learn effective techniques, adaptations, and modifications for creating group activities that foster positive social interactions. Bring your ideas to life each week in this collaborative peer-to-peer class, making a meaningful impact while enhancing your own skills and understanding.