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Service & Outreach

Aquinas students bringing canned food to school for the canned food drive

Rooted in the life and teachings of Jesus, service at Saint Thomas Aquinas is a joyful expression of faith. More than a requirement, it’s a call to live virtuously and love selflessly. Our students grow as servant leaders—compassionate, courageous, and committed to making a lasting impact in their communities and the world.

Community Service Program

The focus of our Community Service program is to encourage students to emulate the actions of Jesus; showing compassion and empathy in order to relieve the burdens of others. 

All students at Saint Thomas Aquinas are required to participate in the Community Service Program. 

Service Requirements

Students are required to perform Works of Mercy (Corporal and Spiritual) for the less fortunate. Students can complete all of their hours as Works of Mercy, but are allowed “Other” hours.

Non Works of Mercy hours would be other volunteer organizations like volunteering at youth camps, volunteering with Extravaganza, etc.   

Yearly Requirements By Class

*Transfer students’ hours will be adjusted based on the yearly requirements for each class as they enter Saint Thomas Aquinas.

Service Hour Due Dates

First semester deadline is December 1  
Second semester deadline is May 1

Students will receive a grade for completion of their service hours each semester in their Theology class.  The service hour completion will make up 10% of the student’s total semester grade.  Hours must be submitted to X2VOL by the deadline to earn their points.  
Students who do not enter their hours by the deadline will earn a zero for the grade. 

Log your Hours into x2VOL

Watch a video on how to log your hours into x2VOL:

LOG INTO X2VOL

OR follow these printed instructions on how to log into x2VOL:READ ABOUT x2VOL

Additional Criteria & Information

  • Students may serve with several different agencies to complete the required hours.
  • The service may not be given to a relative; this is considered a family responsibility.
  • A parent MAY NOT be the supervisor of service. The supervisor should be at the organization.
  • Students are expected to serve outside of school hours, after the dismissal of the school day.
  • Exceptions to the “outside of school service policy” are: DC March for Life, Junior Serve Day, Topeka March for Life.
  • The student may not receive payment for services. It must be done on a volunteer basis.
  • Information and service opportunities are listed below and on the x2VOL Dashboard.
  • Please note: We will no longer accept hours for managing athletic teams. Athletic managers are a vital part of every team. The role of a manager is that of a team member; managing is not considered service

Virtue in Action Award*

This award honors students who exemplify outstanding dedication and commitment to serving others. Through their generosity, leadership, and compassion, these students have gone above and beyond in living out the call to serve and making a meaningful impact on others.

  • Freshmen achieving this award have completed more than 50 hours of service in the community.
  • Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors achieving this award have completed over 100 hours of service in the community.
*Previously Saint Thomas Aquinas recognized and submitted students who qualified for the national Presidential Volunteer Service Award sponsored by AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps has placed the award program on pause, which means that at this time, our school is no longer able to apply for or distribute this recognition. We will continue to monitor the program and will let you know if AmeriCorps decides to reinstate the award in the future. Please know that your dedication to service is still incredibly valuable. Documenting and sharing your service hours continues to stand out on college applications, scholarship opportunities, and future resumes. The impact you make in our community is meaningful far beyond any certificate or medal.

What are "Works of Mercy" Service Hours?

The Works of Mercy (Corporal and Spiritual) are taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. The spiritual and corporal works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily needs. Instructing, advising, consoling, and comforting are Spiritual Works of Mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently.

The Corporal Works of Mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. These works are right and just; they are pleasing to God. Most community service organizations serve the Corporal needs of the community. Spiritual Works can be completed at your home parish or Church.

Corporal Works of Mercy

To feed the hungry;
To give drink to the thirsty;
To clothe the naked;
To shelter the homeless;
To visit the sick;
To visit the imprisoned;
To bury the dead.

Spiritual Works of Mercy

Counsel the doubtful
Instruct the ignorant
Admonish sinners
Comfort the afflicted
Forgive offenses
Bear wrongs patiently
Pray for the living and the dead

Saints Community Outreach

School-wide Service Projects

Service-based Clubs & Organizations

Service Agencies

Organizations Service Type Phone Email or Website
Hillcrest Transitional Housing Thrift Store 913-808-5360 zmisic@hillcrestkc.org
TurnStyles Thrift Store 913-909-2735 mhilgers@stasaints.net
Goodwill Donation Center Donation Center 816-985-3371 http://www.mokangoodwill.org/volunteer
Blessings Abound Thrift Store 913-648-0700 www.blessingsaboundkc.org.
Harvesters Food Distribution 816-929-3000 https://www.harvesters.org/give-time
Advice & Aid Babysitting 913-962-0200 volunteer@adviceandaid.com
Villa St. Francis Assisted Living 913-829-5201 www.volunteermark.com/villa-st-francis
Heart to Heart  Food Distribution 913-764-5200 http://www.hearttoheart.org/volunteer/
Shawnee Heartland Assisted Living 913-248-6600 https://shawneeheartlandalf.com
Santa Marta Assisted Living 906-0990 http://www.santamartaretirement.com
Youth Volunteer Corp Helping youth 913-432-9822 http://www.yvckc.org
The Mission Project Helping adults with developmental disabilities 913-777-6722 info@themissionproject.org
Operation Breakthrough Helping youth (816) 329-5233  http://operationbreakthrough.org
North Care Hospice Helping the sick 816-276-2640 https://www.kchospice.org/volunteer/
Wyandotte Pregnancy Clinic Healthcare 913-287-8287  
Project Uplift Distribution Center - Help homeless 816-241-0060 http://www.uplift.org/volunteer/
St. Mary's Food Kitchen Food Distribution 913-281-5633  
Solace House Healthcare 816-276-2640 https://www.kchospice.org/volunteer/
City Union Mission Thrift Store 816-329-1459 https://cityunionmission.org/how-you-can-help/
Ronald McDonald House Helping families with sick kids 816-842-8321 https://www.rmhckc.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/
Community LINC Helping families in need 816-531-3727 http://www.communitylinc.org/volunteer.html
Shalom House Helping adults    913-321-2206 https://catholiccharitiesks.org/where-we-work/shalom-house/
The Upper Room Helping kids' literacy 816-363-3819 http://www.upperroomprogram.org
Angels of Grace Helping kids  (913) 233-2944 http://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/
angels_of_grace_family_service_center_inc_kansas_city_ks
Project Cure Health Care Distribution Center 816-835-2900 kcgroups@prjecture.org        www.projecture.org
Parishes
Ascension   681-3517  
Good Shepherd   563-5310  
Holy Cross   381-2755  
Holy Name   722-1032  
Holy Spirit   492-7318  
Holy Trinity   895-0604  
Nativity   338-4367  
Prince of Peace   829-1147  
Sacred Heart   422-5520  
St. Ann   831-6959  
St. Joseph   631-8923  
Visitation   681-7683