Sr. Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice
The Sister Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice is the hub of Religion, Spirituality, Justice, Advocacy and Service at Manhattanville College. Each year, the Clark Center collaborates with hundreds of regional, national, and international partners, to curate experiential learning opportunities for our students, across four pillars:
- Religion & Spirituality: From its origins as an all-women’s Catholic institution, Manhattanville’s commitment to religious diversity is reflected in the multiple expressions of faith and spirituality on campus. As the College’s spiritual hub, the Clark Center facilitates opportunities for deeper understanding of, appreciation for, and involvement in, the spiritual, religious, and philosophical dimensions of life that promote human rights and community building.
- Social Justice: Manhattanville College is committed to promoting the tenets of a just, free, and fair society, founded on the principles of shared humanity and stewardship over the earth. The Clark Center deploys the principles of Justice as one of its six pillars, to curate opportunities that inspire students to gain a heightened awareness and understanding of social justice issues and their responsibility for taking a leadership role in local as well global community issues.
- Advocacy & Activism The pillars of advocacy and activism are enshrined in the legacy of Past President Mother Grace Dammann, who “affirmed” the right of the first African American student to be admitted to the college in 1938. Through curated experiences, and support for intentional student action, geared towards bringing about social and political change, economic and environmental justice, The Clark Center continues the institution’s legacy of producing leaders in pursuit of conflict resolution, equity and justice for all.:
- Community Service: Meaningful service meets a real need. At The Clark Center, we aim to provide Manhattanville students with opportunities that actualize this pillar, towards creating “ethically and socially responsible citizens” who demonstrate and inspire in others, awareness, involvement, and leadership through civic engagement and “meaningful service” to diverse communities. Our service learning experience is curated to be sensitive to intersectional experiences that are diverse, complex and often marginalized.
Anyone interested in community outreach, social justice and responsibility, or religion and spirituality should visit the office located in Founders Hall.
Award Winning Community Service Program
The Sister Mary T. Clark, RSCJ for Religion & Social Justice is the recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, in recognition of Manhattanville volunteers who complete more than 33,000 hours of service each year helping others. Each semester, The Clark Center collaborates with 100 community partners to facilitate, educate, and encourage student involvement in civic action, cultural leadership, co-curricular endeavors and spiritual initiatives across greater New York City and the Tri-State area. Our service experiences and programs are closely aligned to the academic curricula, ensuring that students are building the intellectual framework and acquiring the skills needed for effective and responsible membership in the global community.
Chaplaincy & Student Interfaith Council
The Clark Center is responsible for coordinating interfaith services, religious clubs and student organizations. Our Chaplaincy program provides pastoral counseling across the four monotheistic faith groups: Christian, Muslim, Jewish, and Protestant. Catholic liturgies and sacraments are offered on Campus through the O’Byrne Chapel. Information is available for all students on local churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship in the area. Additionally, the Interfaith Student Council works to increase the interfaith capacity of Manhattanville through intersectional programming, outreach, and education. The group is comprised of representatives from the Muslim Students Association, Catholic Students Association, Manhattanville Hillel, and Cross Road Christian Student Association.
“Think Globally, Act Locally” with The Connie Hogarth Social Action Project (CHSAP)
Named in honor of Connie Hogarth, the founder of the Connie Hogarth Center for Social Action, CHSAP immerses students in areas of advocacy and activism focused on peace and nonviolence, civil liberties and civil rights, and economic, environmental and gender justice. Through CHSAP, students will have the opportunity to work with activists and educators on building film and lecture series; organizing and participating in rallies and demonstrations both near campus and in places such as New York City and Washington, D.C.; and in planning the annual Peace Concert, which mobilizes the power of poetry, music and theatre towards generating real, lasting change. Previous caused include: Climate change, apartheid, and gay rights. Here, valiants learn that working toward justice doesn’t always take popularity — it just requires conviction.
United Nations
The Clark Center at Manhattanville College, is one of only four institutions of higher learning in the United States designated as members of the United Nations’ Center for Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN). Through our partnership with CTAUN, The Center facilitates community-wide participation in UN programming. The Clark Center is dedicated to global issues, leadership, social justice and responsibility, the environment, religion, mentoring, and education for students involved in civic engagement projects.
For information on the rights and responsibility of Undergraduate Clark Scholars please visit the Clark Center webpage: https://www.mville.edu/life-manhattanville/community-service/sister-mary-t-clark-rscj-center-religion-and-social-justice.
The Clark Center is located in G-20 in Founder’s Hall –The Gallery. The Office is open from Monday to Friday, with programs running seven days-a-week. You may contact the Clark Center at 914 323 5447.