UPCOMING FALL SJES

Mustard Seed Communities

The core mission of Mustard Seed Communities is to care for the most vulnerable populations in society. The organization focuses on providing for children and adults with disabilities who have been abandoned. They believe that "in order to create lasting change, we all must also address the complex needs of a community."  

Over fall break, Villanova students will be working and staying at Mustard Seed Communities' home in Montego Bay, Blessed Assurance. Blessed Assurance is home to over 30 children and young adults with disabilities. Student volunteers will stay in the volunteer housing at Blessed Assurance during their entire trip. 

Hand in Hand Ministries 

Engaging with the local community is at the heart of Hand in Hand's work in Belize. This SJE will focus on the theme of active empathy, as students work with local residents on a variety of community projects determined by the community itself.

Students will partner with Hand in Hand Ministries near their headquarters in Belize City during fall break. Hand in Hand answers the expressed needs of the communities it serves. The group will be helping build a family home, volunteering in a preschool, and spending time learning from the local community. 

Dolores Mission 

One of the key tenets of Catholic Social Teaching is solidarity. During their stay with Dolores Mission Church, participants on this SJE will grow in solidarity and relationship with the people of the church by touring and participating in many of the church’s different programs and community initiatives. These opportunities include touring Homeboy Industries, the largest gang rehabilitation and re-entry program in the world, preparing and eating a meal with the Guadalupe Homeless Project’s shelter residents, and leading an art activity with IMPACTO, an after-school program for children. 

Participants on this SJE will have an eventful week, as these are only a few of the week’s activities. Lodging will be provided onsite at Dolores Mission Church. 

LEVEL: Discovery Trail, Rocky Creek, & Triple Play Farm 

In collaboration with LEVEL at Villanova, this experience aims to provide all students of all abilities the opportunity to serve, grow, and embrace an opportunity to change the way people see ability.  Located in Davidson, NC, both Discovery Trail and Triply Play Farm serve all ages, all abilities, and set out to use the outdoors in a safe and delightful way along with integrating therapeutic animals into the overall experience.

Students who are chosen for this experience will work at two different facilities, help improve the physical landscape, interact with students from a local school (in Davidson) who utilize the facility, and dive deeper into nature based therapeutic/educational programming. Lodging will take place in a local hotel to account for accessibility needs. 

Nazareth Farm

Nazareth Farm is a Catholic community farm in rural West Virginia that transforms lives through a service-related experience. Members of the community at Nazareth Farm are devoted to living out the Gospel message through the cornerstones of community, simplicity, prayer and service. They serve alongside their neighbors to address substandard housing by providing home repair at various projects in their community. Participants are all invited to join in communal prayer and reflection throughout the week, while engaging in different service projects that the community needs. Participants will learn to celebrate the richness of Appalachia and experience God by building relationships with the local community.

Habitat for Humanity of Marion-Dillon County

Giving and receiving mutual acts of hospitality removes the distance that separates people whose life experiences are very different. This SJE allows participants to both offer and receive the healing experience of being received as guest and partnering with others to provide a home for the displaced. Participants on this SJE will spend a week with Marion-Dillon County Habitat for Humanity in Marion, SC. Marion-Dillon County has the highest unemployment rate in the state and safe affordable housing is scarce. Participants will have plenty of work to do and will be welcomed by the local community.  Group will stay at a local community church.

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County

In Winston-Salem, NC, 5% of the housing does not meet the minimum housing code, and 2.5% of the population live in overcrowded conditions. The need for new houses and neighborhood revitalization projects is huge.  

Students will partner with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County, which is working to remedy this situation. Participants will stay in dormitory-style housing. They will engage many community partners who provide lunch and dinner. 

Winter: Plenitud PR

Plenitud Puerto Rico has three important pillars: Service, sustainability, and community. Students will spend a week learning about the sustainable living practices that they are enacting in the local community of Las Marias, Puerto Rico.

Plenitud is an educational farm and teaching center dedicated to instilling people with the tools to reflect, grow, and work for change. They collaborate with a number of community partners in the local community of Las Marias, through efforts in agriculture, senior care, and youth activities. Students will spend the week working on the farm, camping in tents, and serving alongside Plenitud staff.

Applications for this experience will be due on October 30, 2026.

Winter: Habitat for Humanity of Taos, NM

90% of Taos residents can't afford a home in this tourist-dependent town. Homeownership through Habitat for Humanity of Taos is one of the affordable options. Students participating in this SJE will spend the week serving with Habitat for Humanity of Taos on one of their build sites and learning about the local community. They will participate in community lunches, visit Taos Pueblo, and engage in nightly reflections with their group.

Group will stay at a Volunteer house near the construction site. 

Applications for this experience will be due on October 30.