Mission Leave for Administrators - Pilot
In order to promote the mission and vision of Fordham as a Jesuit university, the University encourages its members to deepen their understanding of Ignatian spirituality, as well as to walk with the poor, the marginalized, and those seeking justice, to accompany our young people in building a future of hope, and to protect and care for our common home.
This policy encourages our benefited Administrators to participate in university-sponsored, mission-related activities, and, in doing so, to better understand the University’s vision, to live out its mission of service to others, and to reflect on ways to engage the broader community.
Voluntary participation in these programs strengthens inter-departmental relationships and builds community relationships while addressing the needs of those outside of the University.
Mission Leave opportunities can be sponsored by a number of departments throughout the University but can primarily be found through the Division of Mission Integration and Ministry. Specifically, programming run by Campus Ministry, the Center for Community Engaged Learning (CCEL), and the Director of Ignatian Mission Initiatives will apply.
Available offerings from Campus Ministry include projects with the Pedro Arrupe Volunteers and other short term service projects and retreats. Please reach out to Campus Ministry at [email protected] for more information and available dates.
Offerings from CCEL include participation in Urban Plunge each August, the opportunity to chaperone a Global Outreach project (winter, spring, and summer breaks), and other short term engagement experiences. Please reach out to [email protected] for more information and available dates.
The Mission Leave Request form can be accessed via the Electronic Forms page on the Employee portal: Electronic Forms
Below, you will find an up-to-date list of offerings that qualify for Mission Leave. This list will be updated regularly, so please check back often. For questions, please reach out to the sponsoring department directly.
-
Urban Plunge
When: Friday, August 25, All Day
Join the Center for Community Engaged Learning for our pre-orientation program for first year students. Join a group on their engagement and service projects in the Bronx or Manhattan. Or join us in supporting our 2nd Annual Back to School Festival on Fordham Plaza where we'll be distributing 2,500 backpacks and school supplies to members of the local Bronx Community. Contact Surey Miranda-Alarcon at [email protected] for more details. Sign up here to confirm your participation!
Highbridge Community Farmer's Market
The Highbridge Community Farmers Market originated last year through a collaborative effort between community organizations and Fordham University undergraduate students in "Ecology and Economics of Food Systems," a community engaged learning course co-taught by Dawn Fariello, Ph.D., lecturer in biology, and Andrew Simons, Ph.D., associate professor of economics. Continuing the tradition, the farmers market reopened in July 2023 for a second season. We are looking for volunteers to staff the market throughout the season (July-November) on Wednesday mornings and afternoons, with a great need for support in late August and early September. Please sign up here.Tutoring and Mentorship (Post-Secondary Pathways)
When: Fall 2023, Weekly
Want to make a real difference in the life of a young person living in New York City? Sign up to be a tutor or mentor with our Post-Secondary Pathways program. This two hour/week commitment is the best way to build a relationship and provide ongoing support to a neighbor. We can partner you with a student looking for support in your area of expertise. To register, please email Maria Rodriguez at [email protected].
Chaperone a Fall GO Project!
Do you love to travel? Do you want to support Fordham students in building their global citizenship and getting to know how community development works around the globe? Sign up to chaperone a Global Outreach project. These immersion trips take place in the weeks following graduation, and visit a number of locations nationally and internationally. For more information about summer projects and to sign up to chaperone, reach out to Ben Medeiros at [email protected].
Bespoke Service or Engagement Experiences
If you would like to create a project, a day of service, or a specific community engagement experience with one of our community partners for your team or your area, we are happy to partner with you to set it up! Please reach out to Dr. Julie Gafney, Executive Director of CCEL to get the ball rolling ([email protected]).
Harborview and Amsterdam Houses Thanksgiving Distribution Preparations
Location: 218 West 64th Street, New York, NY
Bagging donations of produce and other items for Saturday’s event.
Collaboration with students in the Mission Integration Leadership Enrichment Series (M.I.L.E.S.) and friends.November 17, 2023
NALEO U.S. Citizenship Workshop and Clinic
Location: McShane Campus Center 2nd Floor, Rose Hill Campus
Registering and greeting applicants.
Supporting event logistics.
Assisting with naturalization application (N-400) & fee waiver application (I-912)November 18, 2023
Harborview and Amsterdam Houses Thanksgiving Distribution Preparations
Location: Meet at Gabelli Room 140A, 140 W. 62nd Street
Volunteering to distribute produce.November 18, 2023
Fall Festival in the Bronx
Council Member Oswald Feliz’s Office: 2546 Hoffman St., Bronx, NY 10458
November 21 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.Highbridge Fall Festival
Location: Intersection of Edward L. Grant Highway and Plimpton Avenue, Bronx, NY 10452
November 22 | 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.Fordham Belmont Fall Festival & Turkey Distribution
Location: Hoffman Street between E. 191st Street and Fordham Road
Volunteering to distribute turkeys and produce from Fordham’s partner farm.
November 21, 2023
Highbridge Fall Festival & Turkey Distribution
Location: 1430 Plimpton Avenue, Bronx
Volunteering to distribute turkeys and produce from Fordham’s partner farm.
November 22, 2023
-
Program Name: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)Date & Time: September 29, 1:30 pm to 4:00 pmDescription: Food insecurity initiative & reflection with St. Ignatius Nativity School (SIS) -- Join us for peanut butter and jelly sandwich-making and conversation. Together with the grammar school students of SIS, we make 200 meal packs for a neighborhood food pantry. We are taking a quick Ram Van trip from the Rose Hill campus to SIS in Hunts Point, Bronx. For more information and to RSVP, click here.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH)Date & Time: October 11, 11:00 am to 12:15 pmDescription: We make 200 meal packs for neighborhood community fridges and conclude with a brief Ignatian reflection.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (LC)Date & Time: September 12, 11:00 am to 12:15 pm (meet in Lowenstein lobby near escalators)Description: We make 200 meal packs for neighborhood community fridges and conclude with a brief Ignatian reflection.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Story Time with Kids (LC)Date & Time: late September 2:00-3:30pmDescription: We read children's books about resiliency and encouragement to the neighborhood kids of NYCHA Amsterdam Houses.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Xavier Mission Clothes Sorting (LC)Date & Time: November 16 3:30-5:30pmDescription: We sort hundreds of donated clothing items for neighborhood infants and toddlers experiencing immigration, migration and refugee challenges.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Ignatian RetreatDate & Time: January 11 - 10 am - 3 pmDescription: Prayer, conversation, and reflection in the Ignatius Room on the lower level of the University Church.Contact: Carol Gibney ([email protected])Program Name: Mission-in-Action Sandwi
ch Making (LC) Date & Time: January 25th from 11:30am-12:45pmDescription: We make 200 meal packs for neighborhood community fridges and conclude with a brief Ignatian reflection.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Mission-in-Action Sandwich Making (RH) Date & Time: February 1st from 1:00pm-2:15pmDescription: We make 200 meal packs for neighborhood community fridges and conclude with a brief Ignatian reflection.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Winter Away for a Day: Off-Campus Ignatian Retreat for Staff & Faculty
Date & Time: February 21st from 9:00pm-4:30pm
Description: Join us by the fireplace for a wintry day away at Fordham's retreat house in Goshen NY where we will take time to reflect on how Ignatian spirituality helps to build community in daily life. Complimentary lunch provided. Round-trip Ram Vans will leave Rose Hill and Lincoln Center at 9:00 am and will return at 4:30 pm.
Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Xavier Welcome Table in Chelsea (LC)Date & Time: March 3rd from 12:00pm-4:00pmDescription: We serve 1000 hot lunch meals to people experiencing homelessness in NYC while incorporating a reflection exercise with others.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: Xavier Mission Clothes Sorting in Chelsea (LC)Date & Time: April 4th from 4:00-6:00pmDescription: We sort hundreds of donated clothing items for neighborhood infants and toddlers experiencing immigration, migration and refugee challenges.Contact: Robert Parmach ([email protected])Program Name: 3 Day Ignatian Silent RetreatDate & Time: May 22 - May 24Description: We sort hundreds of donated clothing items for neighborhood infants and toddlers experiencing immigration, migration and refugee challenges.Contact: Carol Gibney ([email protected]) -
Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life
Campus Ministry is offering the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life (SEEL), an 8-month retreat based on the Spiritual Exercises. St. Ignatius offered this transformative retreat to his early companions during the midst of chaotic times, and countless men and women have taken part in this transformative retreat journey - which has the potential to change your life!
Through practice, you will learn various prayer forms, such as contemplation, meditation, and more. You will develop a closer relationship with God and learn the rules for discernment. This retreat is being offered over the course of 8 months and is available to Faculty, Staff, and Graduate students who wish to deepen their spirituality and openness to God.
If you think you might be interested in joining the cohort that will begin in mid-October, please consider attending one of the following info sessions:
Friday, September 8th @ 1:00 PM in Ignatius Room, University Church, Lower Level
Tuesday, September 12th @ 1:00 PM in Blessed Rupert Mayer, SJ Chapel, Lowenstein 221
If you would like more info or cannot attend an info session, contact:
Carol Gibney - [email protected]Learn & Lunch: Reflection on Hope, Joy, Love, and PeaceFriday, December 8 at 1pm - Lowenstein, Room 206As we approach the sacred holiday season and conclusion of the fall semester, join fellow Fordham community members to reflect on the value of hope, love, joy and peace in our lives today.
Complimentary lunch sandwiches provided.
Learn & Lunch: Reflection on PeaceMonday, December 11 at 1pm - Ignatius Room (lower level of University Church)As we approach the sacred holiday season and conclusion of the fall semester, join fellow Fordham community members to reflect on the value of peace in our lives today.
Complimentary lunch provided.
Pedro Arrupe Volunteers - Please contact Gil Severiano ([email protected] for more information on any of the below opportunities.
September 2023
Thursday September 7 LC School Backpack Project 5:30pm
Sunday September 24 LC Xavier Mission Soup Kitchen 11am-3pm
Thursday September 28 LC Toiletry Kits Preparation 1pm
October 2023
Monday October 2 RH Toiletry Kits Preparation 1:00pm
Tuesday October 3 LC/RH Midnight Run Sandwich making 6:00pm
Midnight Run Distribution 8:00pm
Saturday October 14 RH Strive Higher Literacy Program 12pm-3pm
Saturday October 21 RH Halloween Strive Higher 1pm-3pm
Sunday October 29 LC Xavier Mission Soup Kitchen 12pm -3pm
November 2023
Sunday November 5 RH Health Fair at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 11 am-3 pm
Sunday November 19 LC Xavier Mission Soup Kitchen 12pm -3pmTuesday November 21 RH Thanksgiving Turkey Distribution at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel 9 am-11 am
December 2023
Saturday December 2 RH Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Children Holiday Party 12:00pm -
The Feerick Center for Social Justice promotes the rights and addresses the problems facing marginalized and low-income New Yorkers and individuals seeking humanitarian relief, including asylum-seeking families and unaccompanied immigrant children. The center links the social justice community serving those in need to Fordham and engages the Fordham community in service of national and local social justice initiatives.
The center works with non-profit, legal services, and public sector organizations, bar associations, and individuals to respond to the challenges of those in need. And through education and collaboration, the center engages with Fordham students, alumni, faculty and administrators to create and implement long-term innovative solutions critical for lasting change.
The Feerick Center’s work of providing direct assistance and working in collaboration with others reflects the motto and mission of Fordham Law School— “In the Service of Others”—as well as Fordham University’s expansive Jesuit mission and vision.
Economic Justice Opportunities
In 2022, the Legal Services Corporation reported that consumer debt defense was the most common civil legal need amongst low-income households in the country, yet consumer defense is incredibly under-resourced. Here in New York, in 2022, at the point of answering a lawsuit only 2.6% of consumer-defendants were represented. There is an urgent need for legal services for the tens of thousands of New Yorkers summoned to court for debt collection annually.
The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO) seeks to meet this need by providing free limited-scope legal services to unrepresented New Yorkers facing debt collection through the court system. The Feerick Center founded and administers CLARO in Manhattan*, the Bronx, and Staten Island in addition to remote clinics for those with debt collection cases in these boroughs. CLARO clinics rely on volunteers to provide these much-needed services. The following volunteer roles are needed:
Non-attorney volunteers: Non-attorney volunteers provide support by completing client intakes in the program's case management system. These intakes may be completed remotely during the center's hotline hours (Mondays 12-2pm) or in person at clinics held in the New York City Civil Courts (Bronx weekly on Thursdays from 12:30 -4:30; Staten Island every other Tuesday 2:00 - 4:30) Non-attorney volunteers also assist by providing logistical and administrative support and Spanish language translation services at the clinics. Spanish speaking non-attorney volunteers are especially welcome.
Attorney Volunteers: Attorneys admitted to practice and in good standing in New York provide legal advice and assistance in preparing litigation documents for unrepresented defendants. Volunteer attorneys do not enter any notice of appearance and do not provide full representation. No prior experience in consumer defense is needed as the center provides training and on-site supervision at in-person clinics (Bronx weekly on Thursdays from 12:30-4:30pm; Staten Island every other Tuesday 2:00 - 4:30 pm). Prior experience in civil litigation is helpful, but also not required.
*Manhattan hours will be announced soon.
Contact Johanna Ocaña at [email protected] to sign up for a CLARO training and to volunteer.
Immigrant Justice Opportunities
With over 100,000 migrants who have arrived in New York, and tens of thousands more arriving at the border, the Center’s Immigrant Justice Project (IJP) focuses on access-to-justice opportunities in the region, at the border, and in other under-served areas. IJP engages volunteers in often life-changing limited-scope legal services in partnership with border, regional, and national legal services and advocacy organizations.
The Center’s regional work has focused on asylum application assistance for detained and non-detained migrants, in partnership with trusted and expert immigration NYC legal services providers. The Center’s border work now takes place in El Paso, Texas—a historic flashpoint for border policies and an area of tremendous need—and focuses on asylum application assistance for recently-arrived asylum seekers, as well as know your rights presentations in migrant shelters.
The IJP seeks to meet the unprecedented need for immigrant justice initiatives by engaging the Fordham University community to connect with local limited-scope clinics and, through week-long service trips, to the Southern border and other underserved areas. The limited-scope services provided on service trips are determined by the needs of partner organizations.
Non-attorney Volunteers: Non-attorney volunteers can provide administrative, logistical, research, interpretation, or other professional support (e.g., limited-scope mental health counseling) based on their experience and the needs of our partner organizations. Spanish interpretation services are especially welcome, but other language abilities are often also needed, including for example Brazilian Portuguese, French, Haitian-Creole, and Russian.
Attorney Volunteers: Attorneys provide limited-scope services as volunteers of our partner organizations. Attorney volunteers do not enter appearances on behalf of migrants served. Prior experience with immigration law, and second-language fluency (especially in Spanish), is prioritized.
Upcoming volunteer opportunities include:
- “Key to the City” resource fair and intake events. See upcoming dates and sign up to volunteer with the New York Legal Assistance Group here.
- Monthly asylum application clinics.* Contact Emerson Argueta at [email protected] for upcoming clinic dates.
- Service trips to the border or other underserved regions.* Contact Emerson Argueta at [email protected] for upcoming service trip dates.
*Please note that there is limited capacity for volunteers at asylum application clinics and service trips. Volunteer trips also require pre-trip training commitments organized by the Feerick Center.