“Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand ”
— Chinese Proverb
Service learning is neither one sided nor is it charity. Although many underserved groups will significantly benefit from the work and support provided, Saints & Scholars participants delivering such services will gain a deep sense of altruism and global citizenship skills necessary for the 21st century including critical thinking and problem-solving, leadership, adaptability, reflection, collaboration, technology and cross-cultural communication skills.
Students who have an interest in professions such as the teaching, counseling, human services, social work, expressive/art therapies, human rights/activism, humanities, education program management, the arts and/or providing services such as literacy and vocational opportunities would especially benefit from taking part in Saints & Scholars, Inc.
Arts-based service learning and other creative ways of delivering services are engaging for all involved. The arts serve as a vehicle for expression and help individuals and communities have a voice. Delivering services in a hands-on way is what we are all about.
Altruism is is a practice that allows us receive the benefits of working in the service of others. It is a core principle of how people grow and expand; developing greater empathy and a sense of interconnectedness with the world around us. We learn to be an UPSTANDER and not just a bystander. We learn to be more involved and to engage those around us. We learn to feel confident and capable in creating positive change - not only for others but for ourselves as well.
You will have the opportunity to share in these experiences with others and to meet so many new people through these shared work experiences.
Sign up for a service project today!
What are some current and past service projects?
Heal Boston - “From Where I Stand”
Two Boston programs, Heal Boston and Saints & Scholars, Inc. joined forces during the summer of 2021 to develop an art exhibit created by Heal Boston youth. The exhibit, “From Where I Stand” represents the viewpoints or position of the artists or “artivists” about common social determinants and stressors facing communities of color in Boston.
These pieces are powerful statements about gentrification, crime, addiction, police brutality, poverty, the achievement gap, abuse of women, trauma, mental health, racial profiling and more…
Heal Boston youth worked with Saints & Scholars, Inc. staff and service members to create these amazing pieces out of jeans hardened with fabric stiffener; to become 3 dimensional sculptures to hold paint, images and multi-media.
A documentary about the making of these pieces as well as the Heal Boston program is located to the right of this page.
To watch our documentary video about the project, please click here:
Where I Stand | A Heal Boston Documentary
Wingate Assisted Living Program
“The Fabric of Our Lives”
In addition to providing some weekly art opportunities for senior residents, our service members are listening to their life stories based on a shared photograph. These stories and photos will be recreated into large-scale panel pieces using fabrics, patterns and other materials as part of an art installation in June 2022, called, “The Fabric of Our Lives”. These pieces will weave the life stories told by the participating seniors. Our teens will also learn how to sew, The senior residents will be donating some of their old shirts, skirts, etc. so we can deconstruct and reconstruct them into these pieces to become part of the opening exhibit.
Upcoming Service Projects
We are currently planning some summer service projects which will be posted soon. Please check back in Late-April 2022.
