Sr. Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice
The Sister Mary T. Clark Center for Religion and Social Justice is the heart of Service Learning at Manhatanville College. Foundational to the Clark Center are the pillars of: Religion & Spirituality, Social Justice, Activism & Advocacy and Community Service.
Each year the Clark Center collaborates with regional, national and international partners to foster experiential learning for our students through the integration of these four pillars and their role in in community service activities.
Religion & Spirituality: Support of religious beliefs at the Clark Center is provided by chaplains representing the Abrahamic faith traditions. They minister to the spiritual needs of students and staff by offering opportunities for faith sharing, one on one spiritual direction, retreat experiences and celebration of religious rituals. Spirituality is about getting in touch with one’s inner self. A component is self-reflection that deepens awareness of the sacredness and mystery of life. It is approached from a variety of perspectives including prayer, meditation, and relaxation techniques that promote peace of mind, body and spirit. Spirituality can be a belief system that is raised to a lifestyle, making life a sacred adventure.
Social Justice teaching promotes the belief that all people possess an equal and inalienable worth. This essential dignity includes the equitable distribution of resources enabling members to reach their full potential as human persons. Student, faculty and staff are invited to participate in weekly social justice workshops which address issues pertinent to local and global issues.
The pillar of Activism & Advocacy is enshrined in the legacy of past President Grace Dammann, who affirmed the right of the first African American student to be admitted to the college in 1938. Today, this pillar invites students to be at the forefront of championing social issues through education, petitions and peaceful demonstrations. Themes such as diversity and racism, responsible stewardship of the environment, LGBTQ- gender equality, as well as justice initiatives related to immigration and homelessness, are often the focus of these actions.
Community Service : Community service experiences abound at Manhattanville. At the Clark Center, this pillar aims to create “ethically and socially responsible citizens” who demonstrate and inspire others through participation in a variety of programs: Big Brother/Big Sister, the Midnight Run, where care packages of essential items are delivered to persons who are homeless in New York City, mentoring programs, Habitat for Humanity, and numerous environmental programs with the Westchester Parks.
Award Winning Community Service Program
The Sister Mary T. Clark RSCJ Center 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. Our service experiences and programs are closely aligned to the academic curricula, ensuring that students are building the intellectual framework and acquiring the skill needed for effective membership in the global community.
The Clark Center is located in Spellman Hall, ground floor – G19
The office is open from Monday – Friday, with programs running seven days a week.
| Director of the Clark Center: |
914-323-5223 |