Elms College (USA)
The College of Our Lady of the Elms, often called Elms College or simply Elms, is a Catholic liberal arts college located in Chicopee, Massachusetts. Founded as a girls’ academy in 1899, it became a women’s college in 1928 and became co-educational in 1998. The College offers liberal arts and professional education at the baccalaureate and masters levels. The College was co-founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph and the Diocese of Springfield. Commitment to service is a hallmark of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and Elms College maintains this commitment. Elms College’s website>>
Campus Ministry
The Office of Campus Ministry is the hub of spiritual life on campus seeking to build community through hospitality and structured opportunities at Elms College. Campus Ministry offers opportunities for community service and reflection, as well as programs that address social justice issues, such as homelessness, hunger, domestic violence, war and peace, and racism. Campus Ministry puts students in touch with local organizations that provide community services. Learn more>>
Service Trips
Elms offers a number of week-long service opportunities in destinations in the U.S. and abroad. The goals of the service trips are to teach community building, further the mission of the college and the Sisters of Saint Joseph, to implement the catholic social teachings that form the base of the Elms experience, to instill the importance of cultural sensitivity and service to others, and to teach students how to safely conduct themselves in new environments and cultures. Every trip is led by student leaders, who are overseen by faculty and staff on the trips. Trip locations include West Virginia, New Orleans, Jamaica, and Honduras. Learn more>>
Student Service Organizations
Several student groups engage in community service. For example, the Student Social Work Organization provides an informal, supportive setting in which members can connect with the community to practice social work advocacy, participate in volunteer opportunities, and create awareness in the community of social work issues and how to address them. The Campus Ministry club, another student service organization, is grounded in Catholic tradition with an ecumenical perspective. Members of this club are deeply involved with service work and want to confront the social challenges of the world today. Campus Ministry does service work on campus and in the area, but also travels to West Virginia, New Orleans, Jamaica and Honduras to continue their own spiritual mission and that of Elms College to make positive changes in the world. Learn more>>
Step Forward/Quest
Step Forward/Quest are development programs for youth from underserved populations who have high academic potential that focus on academic enrichment, fine arts, cultural appreciation, and leadership. The year-round programs serve students from grades 6 through 12. The programs provide students with the appropriate preparation for and access to higher education, which will help them on their way to the successful completion of a degree.
The goals of the program are to:
- decrease dropout rates for youth
- foster family involvement in education
- address the academic, cultural, and social needs of local youth
- prepare students for success in school and work