Cabrini College, a small, Catholic college located in suburban Philadelphia, today became the first college to sign on with Catholic Relief Services in its new global efforts.
Traditionally, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has focused on reaching out to citizens through local parishes. In an effort to spread their mission more broadly, CRS is expanding its outreach strategy to involve and educate students at colleges and universities across the country.
CRS believes involving young, energetic college students—through internships, on-campus lectures, and faculty research—will take their outreach to the next level.
"We are extremely excited about our partnership with Cabrini College," said Joan Neal, vice president of U.S. operations for Catholic Relief Services.
"It will be a great opportunity for students to receive hands-on experience in a range of international issues and also a chance for Catholic Relief Services to contribute to the education of out next generation of leaders."
Through the partnership, Cabrini will have an opportunity to expose its students to the work of the Catholic Church around the world and to provide resources and opportunities that challenge its students and globalize its education programming.
As the official relief and development agency of the Catholic Church, CRS will work with Cabrini students and faculty to fulfill their moral responsibilities to the world by helping the poor, working to remove causes of poverty, and promoting social justice.
Cabrini College president Dr. Antoinette Iadarola, states, "Cabrini was the first college in Pennsylvania to implement community service into its core curriculum, setting the bar for others. In recent years, many other colleges and universities have come to share Cabrini's dedication to community service."
Iadarola continues, "Similarly, our agreement with Catholic Relief Services shows we are setting the bar once again when it comes to service learning, reflecting our dedication to a global community. It is my hope and expectation that more institutions will sign on with Catholic Relief Services."
CRS provides assistance to millions of people in 99 countries and territories through emergency relief and community-based sustainable development initiatives.
The agency also works to educate people in the United States about the challenges faced by people living in developing countries around the world.
Cabrini College is a Catholic college founded in 1957 by the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (MSC). Cabrini College currently serves more than 2,100 undergraduate and graduate students in programs of liberal arts and professional studies.
Nationwide, the college was among the first institutions of higher learning to implement community service into its curriculum, and was the first in Pennsylvania to require community service of all its students.
Cabrini College's mission is to provide students with an "education of the heart," integrating intellectual competency with moral responsibility.