Partners for Serving
The national award-winning Partners for Serving (PFS) program gives students the opportunity to engage with youth and adults in a variety of settings at human service agencies throughout Rochester. As a part of the Center for Civic Engagement, students in PFS mentor, tutor, and facilitate activities for children, youth and adults in a variety of settings.
Each placement is designed to help meet the needs of the agency while strengthening developmental relationships between Nazareth students and community members. These interactions allow students to improve their ability to work effectively with youth and adults with backgrounds and experiences diverse from their own.
Through employment in PFS, Nazareth students improve their professionalism, establish a connection with the Rochester community, learn to recognize societal inequities, and gain a greater understanding of community solutions in Rochester and beyond. Training and reflection are a required part of the Partners for Serving program.
PFS partners with:
- Refugees Helping Refugees
- Saint's Place
- Salvation Army's Genesis House
- Catholic Family Center's Sanctuary House & Place of Hope
- The Community Place of Greater Rochester
- Generation 2 at School #3 & School #45
- Episcopal Senior Life's Brentland Woods
- YWCA
Program Goals
- Engage in activities that support social service agency goals and programs as well as community solutions.
- Build developmental relationships with individuals and community partners through regular involvement.
- Gain awareness and knowledge of social issues—including homelessness and housing, refugee resettlement and immigration, youth development, and issues affecting select adult populations.
- Understand the impact of social issues on individuals and the Rochester community as a whole.
- Become engaged in discussing solutions to these social issues as evident by continued involvement in civic activities.
Program Details
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Partner weekly commitment: Minimum of 4 hours. (as much as 15 hours)
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Partners conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, exhibiting punctuality, effective and engaged work habits, and dedication to their job.
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Partners attend a Site Orientation conducted by community members (approximately 1 hour), as well as a PFS Orientation and Final Reflection each semester. (approximately 2 hours each)
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Partners attend site-specific meetings with other Partners assigned to the same site, up to 2 per semester. (approximately 1 hour each)
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Partners complete a Mid-Semester Check-In and Final Reflection interview each semester with PFS office staff. (approximately ½ hour)
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Partners attend 2 Workshops each semester that enhance their knowledge of social issues and professional skills.
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Partners communicate with PFS Office, Site Coordinator, and Program Manager about absences, issues at site, and any other concerns about their participation in PFS.
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Partners are compensated for their time at all trainings (Orientations, Site Meetings, Workshops, Mid-Semester Check In, Final Reflection, Literary Circles, Seminars).
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Partners complete the Experiential Learning Seminar (2 meetings) when in their second semester with PFS.
Partners Council
The Partners for Serving Council consists of veteran Partners who assist in the leadership of the program as Site Coordinators and Office Coordinators. The Council members:
- Attend Council meetings throughout the year.
- Bring Partners together to reflect on their experiences.
- Help plan PFS Orientation, Final Reflection, and Workshops.
- Are proactive and engaged leaders.
- Check in with Partners onsite periodically through email, phone calls, and meetings.
- Work with the program coordinator, student coordinators, and the site supervisor regarding staffing assignments, and communicate with all parties periodically.
- Receive leadership training throughout the year.
- Work as a team to resolve issues.
- Assist in reviewing and revising the goals and expectations for the program.
- Help recruit new Partners to the program.