SFU Center for Service and Learning accepts New Community Partner Award

Cambria Care Center partnership helps students address community need

Loretto, PA (05/15/2019) — The Saint Francis University Center for Service & Learning (CS&L) accepted the New Community Partner Award from Cambria Care Center (CCC) for tireless commitment, dedication and hard work in the partnership. CCC was one of two community partners in the "Franciscan Values for Today" Honors courses (RLST 105). This course is a community-engaged (CE) designated course. Dr. Rosemary Bertocci, Professor of Religious Studies, teaches the course.

In CE courses, students apply what they are learning in class to help meet a community need. Guided by their professor, they collaborate with community partners. The result is an in-depth exploration of existing social, civic, or ethical challenges through the lens of an academic discipline.

During spring 2019, 17 Saint Francis University honors students volunteered at CCC. They helped in a variety ways, doing activities with residents, spending time with residents who don't entertain many visitors, working in the dementia unit and more.

Joe Stevens, an honors student from Altoona, PA (Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School), was in the course and recognized by CCC as Outstanding Volunteer.

"I was thrilled by our partnership with Cambria Care this semester," said Professor Bertocci. "My students had a wonderful time at CCC. One of my students said that the experience helped her discern her future career in nursing. Another said he simply loved working with everyone there. Keana, the CCC Activities Coordinator, made everything so easy for us. I'm looking forward to this partnership for many years to come."

Community partners who would like to connect with Saint Francis University through a CE course are invited to contact Lisa Georgiana, CS&L Director at lgeorgiana@francis.edu.