“If you have come to help me, you are wasting your time. If you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
~ Lilla Watson
Visual artist, activist & educator who has dedicated her life to educating people internationally about Aboriginal knowledge & culture
Ignatian Fellowship
The Ignatian Fellowship (IGF) offers SCU undergraduates the opportunity to deepen their commitment to social justice through an in-person community-based learning experience over the winter quarter. This Fellowship was created in 2020 and is inspired by the Jean Donovan Summer Fellowship which has been offered for over 20 years. Ignatian Fellows will participate in a fall quarter formation experience followed by weekly in-person work (~5 hrs/week) with a non-profit organization for weeks 1-9 of the winter quarter. Concurrent with their service work, Fellows participate in a twice-monthly reflective discussion group or ASCI course 98/198 course.
Learning Objectives
Central to the Ignatian Fellowship are the learning objectives outlined below and the hope that Fellows offer meaningful support to community-based organizations. Fellows may apply to extend their placement into the spring quarter.
Cultivate a greater understanding of the assets and challenges facing the community in which the Fellow works through accompaniment-based service.
Grow in commitment to specific key virtues of solidarity, compassion, and humility.
Develop a broader and deeper understanding of personal vocation.
Develop a deepened spiritual life.
Ignatian Fellowship Placements
Ignatian Fellowship placements for 2025 focus on literacy, food insecurity and legal support. Fellows will work with Grail Family Services Yes We Can Read (YWCR+), Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution and SCU's Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center (GKACLC). There may be limited opportunities for Fellows to work with other organizations with whom they have an existing relationship.
Grail Family Services YMCR+
San Antonio Elementary School
1721 E San Antonio Street
San Jose, CA 95116
Anthony Dora Elementary School
1290 Bal Harbor Way
San Jose, CA 95122
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Grail Family Services’ Yes We Can… Read! Plus Program (YWCR+) in 2025. YWCR+ provides 10 sessions of 30-minute individual tutoring with 120 Tk-1 grade students at Anthony Dorsa and San Antonio Elementary Schools in Eastside San Jose. SCU Fellows serve as mentors, getting to know their tutees and really working in areas of math, literacy, and reading where students are experiencing the greatest challenges. In addition to tutoring, SCU Fellows will be able to support YWCR+ parent engagement and family literacy nights along with other community and program events, as needed.
Fellows make an extended commitment with this placement, working with 5 TK-1 students for 10 weeks to complete ten mentoring sessions for 5 students at either Anthony Dorsa or San Antonio Elementary Schools. The hours to be completed over the Winter Quarter are ~ 25 hours of direct tutoring session time and 15 hours completing admin work and support YWCR+ events.
Availability/Transportation:
- SCU Fellows will tutor 5 elementary students over 10 weeks, please note this is a slighted extended commitment. SCU students must be available to tutor through final weeks of Winter Quarter ( March 17-21)
- SCU Fellows complete approximately 2.5 hours of tutoring and ~2.5 of additional work in between, before and/or after sessions, as arranged by the YWCR+ staff.
- SCU students may help out on the playground, support with administrative responsibilities and should attend at least 2 YWCR+/ Grail Family Services family events.
- This placement works best for SCU Fellows that can block 6 hours on 1 day or 3-6 hours on 2 days/week (between 8am - 7pm) and have access to a car.
- Fellows will start tutoring sessions the week of January 6th and will need to be available to tutor through final exam week (March 17-21.)
- Week 1 | January 6-10
- Week 2 | January 13-17
- Week 3 | January 20-24
- Week 4 | January 27-31
- Week 5 | February 3-7
- Week 6 | February 10-14
- Week 7 | February 24-28
- Week 8 | March 3-7
- Week 9 | March 10-14
- Week 10 | March 17-21
- Tutoring sessions that occur during the following dates will need to be made up due to SCU Academic holidays and/or Alum Rock Unified School District Closure: January 20, February 17-21, and March 31.
- SCU Fellows tutor at Anthony Dorsa or San Antonio Elementary Schools. It is recommended that Fellows have reliable access to a car for this placement.
Requirements:
SCU students will be required to complete a background check including fingerprinting, TB test, application for Grail Family Services, mentor training/orientation, and other requirements before the mentor program launch. Additionally, Fellows must be highly motivated, responsible and committed.
Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution
Our Lady of Refuge
2165 Lucretia Ave
San Jose, CA 95122
SCU Fellows will continue their work to support Catholic Charities, a social service and social justice ministry organization dedicated to changing lives for the good. Through its Emergency Food Distribution sites and programs, Catholic Charities works to directly meet the needs of 130,000 people (7% of the population) experiencing food insecurity in Santa Clara County. Ignatian Fellows working with Catholic Charities will engage in this experience as a community traveling together to/from SCU and the food distribution site.
Availability/Transportation:
- SCU Fellows will work at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Charities Emergency Food Distribution site.
- Tuesdays (January 7 - March 4)
- Depart SCU 2:00 PM; Food Distribution 2:30-6:00 PM; Return to SCU 6:30 PM
- SCU students may help out registering clients, packing meals boxes, moving boxes, as determined by Catholic Charities staff.
- Fellows will travel to/from the distribution site together. There are some limited opportunities for Fellows to utilize an Ignatian Center car.
Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center (KGACLC)
KGACLC
1030 The Alameda
San Jose, CA 95126
We look forward to continuing our collaboration with SCUs Katherine and George Alexander Community Law Center. KGACLC provides individuals and communities in need with pro bono legal representation and education. Fellows Fellows provide administrative support for the office. Translation skills are a plus. SCU students interested in this placement can designate this in the Fellowship application, and a secondary interview will be arranged with the KGACLC staff.
Transportation: This placement is accessible via Bus 22
Requirements: Requirements of Fellow: Spanish language fluency
2024-25 Ignatian Fellowship Application Details
IGNATIAN FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION
Key Dates
Individual Formation Meetings with Program Director:
Mon, Oct 28 - Wed, Oct 30
Group Formation Meetings 7:30 - 9:00 PM:
Thurs, Nov 7
Mon, Nov 11
Wed, Nov 20
Winter Quarter in-person accompaniment-based work:
5 hours per week for 9 weeks, starting the week of Jan 6 (Weeks 1-9 of winter quarter)
Formation Fellowship Dinners:
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Wed, Jan 8 and Wed, Feb 26
Options
Fellows will choose 1 of the following options:
Winter Quarter Reflection Group
Thursdays at 8:00 - 9:15 PM:
Jan 9 | Jan 16 | Jan 30 | Feb 6 | Feb 20 | Feb 27
Led by Ignatian Center staff, these reflective discussion groups are designed to integrate community engaged learning with mindfulness practices rooted in Ignatian Spirituality.
ASCI 98/198
This course will support students as they participate in an approved internship or experiential learning opportunity of up to 100 hours. This two-unit course will complement each student’s unique experience through a series of assignments, readings, and reflections that will encourage the integration of personal values, vocational discernment, and academic inquiry. This course is asynchronous and online designed and taught by Sarah Hays.
Expectations & Compensation
Fellows will reflect upon and share their experiences through final written reflection and support with Ignatian Center donor stewardship events. Fellows will receive a $1,000 stipend.
Meet Former Ignatian Fellows
Megan Baldemor '26 | Biochemistry & Neuroscience Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center
Dina Berhan '27 | Biochemistry Major | St. Mary's Eritrean Orthodox Church
Pragna Burra '27 | Management Information Systems Major | United Way Bay Area Free Tax Help
Karla Diaz Fregoso '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | George & Katherine Alexendar Community Law Center (GKACLC)
Kate Dobak '24 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Boscia
Mia Flores '26 | Sociology Major | San Jose Family Shelter
Gabriella Gamarro-Gomez '25 | Mechanical Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Graciella James-Hickey '26 | Political Science & Environmental Studies Major | SCU's tUrn
Erica Julian '24 | Biology & Music Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Anna Keenan '26 | Environmental Science Major | Garden to Table
Elsa Kinney '25 | Biology & Public Health Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center
Angela Lomeli '25 | Political Science & Spanish Studies Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Max Mailloux-Beauchemin '24 | Mechanical Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Celeste Marina Mancilla '26 | Political Science & Spanish Studies Major | Buchser Middle School
Estefana Mejia '27 | Undeclared Major | SCU's tUrn
Stephanie Molina '26 | Sociology & Communication Major | Catholic Charities - Our Lady of Refuge
Alicia Nelson '26 | Psychology Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Arturo Pacheco Martinez '25 | Management & Entrepreneurship Major | Unity Council
Maria Perez '24 | Public Health Science Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Maritza Pinedo '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Cacia Roy '25 | Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Charles Silver '27 | Undeclared Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Allison Thigpen '24 | Sociology Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Sean Tsang '27 | Finance Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Caroline Wing '24 | Communication & Art History Major | Catholic Charities Food Distribution
Suzan Amiri '24 | Philosophy Major | Project Anar
Zoe Barton '24 | Philosophy Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Maile Belnap '24 | Political Science Major | Asian Law Alliance
Mary Clare Broyles '26 | Computer Science & Engineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Josie Collier '24 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Love Boscia - Immigration Law
Quin Doughty '25 | Environmental Science Major | Garden to Table
Katie Duffy '24 | Economics & Political Science Major | Food Sovereignty SCU & La Mesa Verde
Grace Emmons '23 | Child Studies & Classical Studies Major | St. Leo the Great (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Lily Eribes '23 | Bioengineering Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Alice Fulton '25 | Psychology Major | College of Adaptive Arts(Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
McKenzie Himes '23 | Neuroscience Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Graciella James '26 | Environmental Studies & Political Science Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Juliet Kulusic '23 | Theatre & Psychology Major | Hearts & Minds Activity Center (Arrupe-Ignatian Fellow)
Maritza Pinedo '25 | Political Science & Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Gabrielle Pitre '26 | Political Science Major | Law Office of Kristin Love Boscia - Immigration Law
C.J. Purdy '23 | Communication Major | Grail Family Services, Yes We Can...Read!
Sophie Rotter-Aboyoun '23 | Psychology Major | Amigos de Guadalupe
Jugraj Singh '24 | Accounting Information Systems Major | Jakara Movement
Willa Weinsheimer '24 | Political Science Major | Elevate
Grace Yonkers-Talz '24 | Child Studies & Religious Studies Major | tUrn @ SCU
Zoe Barton '24 | Philosophy Major | Elevate Community Center
Sparsh Garg '25 | Computer Science & Business Major | Maitri
Eemon Ghasemiyeh '22 | Philosophy Major | tUrn @SCU
Petra Glenn '23 | Political Science & Economics Major | tUrn @ SCU
Amanda Harvey '22 | Environmenta Studies & Communication Major | tUrn@ SCU
Jules Holland '24 | Political Science & Environmental Studies Major | Bail Project
Zeeshan Javed '22 | Biology Major | Palo Alto VA Medical Center
Catherine Joy '23 | Economics Major | Bay Area Wilderness Training
Arlin Lopez Rivera '22 | Finance Major | Katherine & George Alexander Community Law Center
Samson Lothschutz '23 | Communication Major | Actual Films
Ainsley Mowers '23 |Marketing Major | AAUW San Jose
Madi Moyhihan '25 | Political Science & Philosophy Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Audrey Mullarkey '23 | Political Science & Economics Major | tUrn @ SCU
Isabella Rea '23 | Communication Major | Skills Plus
Reha Shah '23 | Biology & Public Health Major | A Step Ahead Foundation
Jugraj Shoker '24 | Management Information Systems Major | Jakara Movement
Willa Weinsheimer '24 | Political Science & Communication Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Hydeia Wysinger '25 | Psychology & Public Health Major | Northern California Innocence Project
Grace Yonkers-Talz '24 | Child Studies & Religious Studies Major | tUrn @ SCU
Daniel Antillon '21 | Psychology & English Major | Action Aliance International
Afton Burrell '21 | Biology Major | A Step Ahead Foundation
Alexander Castro '22 | Public Health Science Major | The Healh Trust
Anthony Chen '22 | Computer Science Major | Code
Katherine Chen '22 | Public Health Major | Air to All
Joycelyn George '21 | Marketing Major | Oasis for Girls
Hope Olbricht '22 | Biology & Public Health Major | The Food Trust
Alia Orlowsky '22 | Philosophy Major | Katherine & George Alexander Community Law CenterKate Rickwa '24 | Public Health Major | Bronco Urban Garden
Omar Medina '23 | Communications & Spanish Major | Bronco Urban Garden
Karla Santos '24 | Ethnic Studies Major | Bay Area Children's Association
Adele Velastegui '22 | Political Science Major | Immigration Institute of the Bay Area
Kimberly Wood '24 | Political Science & Dance Major | tUrn of SCU
From Fellowship to Full Time
Q&A with Ignatian Fellow Afton Burrell '21
Student Experiences as Ignatian Fellows
"This Fellowship is significant in my life, my SCU experience, and in light of the covid-19 pandemic. In my life, I am extremely passionate about a variety of social justice issues. I believe completing this Fellowship allowed me to gain a worldwide perspective of the injustices that go on in the world, but it also provided me hope that I can be a part of the change and create a more equal and equitable society. I believe that this Fellowship will also greatly aid me as I continue to take courses at Santa Clara University and grow academically, spiritually, and socially. I will take the lessons that I learned through the Ignatian Fellowship as well as through my work with NCIP, to become more kind and empathetic. We as a society must continue to uplift one another and embrace one another when we fall."
Ignatian Fellows 2021-22
Northern California Innocence Project
"This fellowship is of great significance to my life, my SCU experience, and my commitments to social justice. I fostered a deeper understanding of the surrounding community and the individual struggles faced. Since coming to Santa Clara, I have not had many opportunities to engage with and form connections outside our university bubble. Thus, through this fellowship, I have grown my advocacy skills and expanded my worldview. Additionally, I plan to pursue the culinary field, and this fellowship was an amazing opportunity for me to view the logistics of how food is distributed to those who are food insecure, as this is not something discussed in the food service industry."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Catholic Charities Emergence Food Distribution
"The significance of the fellowship, SCU experience and my particular commitments to social justice, reflects the journey of embracing my most true self and challenging societal labels. I was able to encourage the kids to embrace their own authenticity, and laugh with the kids. At SCU, I have diverse pursuits - from majoring in Biology and Music, being part of the D1 track and cross country team, leading as a violinist in the school orchestra, and my 3rd years as a community facilitator in Graham. My life underscores how we as individuals are not confined to a single identity or role. I feel lucky enough to have had parents who have encouraged me to lean into every opportunity that has been offered to me, but I know that there are so many children who grow up being taught who they are and who they will be. This fellowship really serves as an opportunity to be a role model for the children and challenge societal norms, fostering a more equitable and understanding community. The fellowship was really a space for authentic expression in an intimate space where the children are learning their fundamental educational milestones."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Yes We Can Read + Dorsa Elementary School
"This fellowship has brought me back to my childhood. It has reminded me of how I grew up and the challenges people face everyday. I grew up attending a high risk elementary school and was surrounded by people who were coming from families that could barely afford to put food on the table. It has brought me back to my roots and highlighted what I have always wanted to make a difference in. Coming from a privileged background I think that sometimes I forget the struggles I was aware of growing up. This fellowship was a great opportunity to think back and build on that knowledge, allowing me to think of different ways I can continue to hep this specific community."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Yes We Can Read + San Antonio Elementary
"This experience was highly significant in terms of personal reflection and in connection with what I have learned at SCU. I worked with disadvantaged students in East Side San Jose, with the objective of bridging a critical achievement gap. This was important to me personally because during elementary school, I attended a mostly low income, hispanic school in East Side San Jose, in the same district as San Antonio. Therefore, I saw a lot of my childhood and own experiences reflected in the community I worked in. Interacting with the kids and helping them grow was valuable, but I also enjoyed talking to the parents during their workshops because it also reminded me of many of my family members. I was able to take a step back and look at the needs of the community from a perspective different from just the one I have grown up with. In terms of what I have learned at SCU, this connected well to an urban education class I took this quarter. Learning about issues in urban schools is one thing, but actively participating is entirely more significant."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Yes We Can Read + San Antonio Elementary
"The significance of this fellowship in my life, my SCU experience, and in alignment with my commitments to social justice is multifaceted. Initially, I applied for this fellowship during my final year of college with the intention of engaging with a non-profit organization in the local community before leaving Santa Clara. However, the experience surpassed my expectations in several ways. Firstly, it provided me with the opportunity to connect with various segments of my community that I may not have otherwise encountered. Through this fellowship, I was able to interact with individuals from diverse backgrounds and gain insights into their experiences, challenges, and aspirations. This exposure expanded my understanding of social issues and deepened my commitment to addressing them. Additionally, my SCU experience played a crucial role in shaping my perspective on social justice. The university's emphasis on Jesuit values, service-learning, and community engagement instilled in me a sense of responsibility to work towards creating a more just and equitable society."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Yes We Can Read + Dorsa Elementary School
"The significance of this fellowship to me, is that I have had a rough past two quarters with figuring out who I want to be and the type of person I am. So I really appreciate the reflection and Ignatian meetings that helped ground me and allowed me to spend time with some really great people. Secondly, I think this fellowship reignited a passion for helping others. I had already been down the path but this fellowship showed me that helping others does not need to be grand-scheme, and that I can help by myself and enact real change if I am willing to put in some time and effort."
Ignatian Fellows 2023-24
Yes We Can Read + Dorsa Elementary School