Philia Project Teaches Lessons on Service this Thursday
The Providence Upper School (7-12) community, teachers and students alike, will dedicate this Thursday morning, May 1, to learning about and performing community service. “Service is an important component of our school’s mission,” says David O’Neil, Head of Upper school. “That is why we dedicate two days of the school year to going out into the Santa Barbara community to serve our neighbors.”
These community service events are called the Philia Project and they are held in the fall and the spring. “Philia is one of four Greek words for love and this project allows students to demonstrate both their love for their school and for their community,” says Philia Project director Becca Gill. “We want our students to have exposure to a variety of places in the community where they might choose to return and serve again on their own,” she explains.
This spring’s project day has both on-campus and off-campus components. Among the projects:
Santa Barbara Food Bank – Sorting and stocking food items. 4554 Hollister Avenue
Goleta Valley Beautiful – Preparing trees to be planted. Cabrillo Growing Grounds (near KMart Plaza)
Santa Barbara Community Farm – harvesting vegetables and other farm chores. Calle Caridad dead end (off Cienguitas Road)
Isla Vista Youth Projects – Music, art, and other activities with children. 6842 Phelps Road
Storytellers – Reading and other activities with children. 2115 State Street
Garden Court – Activities with residents of this senior-citizen community. 1116 De La Vina Street
The Poverty Cure – Seniors will investigate the causes and cures for poverty and Skype with experts in third world economic development. Located at the Providence Upper School campus, 630 East Canon Perdido
The Ufizzi Order – 7th and 8th grade students will learn from a representative of this organization dedicated to developing understanding and awareness of homelessness in Santa Barbara and appropriate ways to respond. Located at the Providence Upper School campus, 630 East Canon Perdido
Projects take place 9 am – 11:30 am.
Providence is a Christian, independent school serving grades K-12.
