Deerfield has a tradition of service, and our community service program continues to expand and diversify, offering a range of opportunities to serve the Academy, local, and even global communities.
Students may volunteer to do community service as their afternoon cocurricular commitment, serving on-site at a service project four days per week. Students involved in the cocurricular community service program have worked at the local animal shelter, nearby farms, a variety of daycare and after-school programs, social service agencies, shelters, and nursing homes. Students also participate in on-campus projects such as the Growing Green program.
There are also service opportunities for students outside of the cocurricular program. Athletic teams, advisor and dorm groups, and clubs can volunteer at Second Helpings, a soup kitchen and food distribution program in nearby Greenfield. Many one-time opportunities and special projects are also offered on a sign-up basis. Deerfield students who want to work with children can do so through the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Franklin County program, were about 70 juniors and seniors “adopt” young friends and spend time with them every Friday evening.
During the summer students can apply for financial assistance from special funds to complete community service projects.
Deerfield gives all its students access to a number of weekend community service projects. These projects typically last about an hour to an hour and a half, and do not require regular commitment. Students help out with local elderly people who need groups of two through five around their homes doing yard work, clean-up work, gardening, and washing windows. Deerfield groups performing at local nursing homes, elderly centers, etc. if interest persists. Doing community service on weekends can be a fun and rewarding thing to do, and it offers a great study break.
Deerfield has special programs and awards outside of the regular programs and projects. These grants are funded due to the generous support of the Cost, Earle/Mendillo and Workman families, who established endowment funds to support the community and public service endeavors of future generations of Deerfield students.
Deerfield Academy has long stressed the idea that those who benefit from Deerfield’s educational opportunities have an ethical obligation to give back to society. The Community Service Program provides students a means to realize the school’s motto, “Be Worthy of Your Heritage,” by serving others and forming meaningful relationships with people outside of the Academy.
The goals of Deerfield Academy’s Community Service Program are to develop partnerships between Deerfield and local agencies that address critical needs in Franklin County, and to provide unique educational opportunities for students and faculty. Community Service participants learn new skills, gain knowledge, and develop a connection to and sense of responsibility toward community.