Partners for Serving — Partners for Health

The national-award-winning Partners for Serving-Partners for Health (PFS-PFH) offers impactful student employment positions that allow students to learn from and engage with the community in a variety of settings. Students are placed with local community programs and support community goals by mentoring, tutoring, and facilitating activities for children, youth and adults. Some of our focus areas include youth  and child development, economic opportunity and educational support, housing and hunger, and health and elder health. 

Each placement is designed to help meet the needs of the agency while strengthening developmental relationships among 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. One might choose to coach youth runners, play games with and tutor adults or children, assist families in food shopping, transport elders to religious services, or support new English language learners.

Through employment in PFS-PFH, 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 required components of the Partners for Serving-Partners for Health program.

PFS-PFH partners with: 

PFS-PFH is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, PFS-PFH will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Jen Canning, Program Manager.

Program Goals
  • Engage in activities that support community partner goals and programs. 
  • Build developmental relationships with individuals and community organizations through regular involvement and sustained partnerships.
  • Gain awareness and understanding of the impact of social issues on individuals and the Rochester community as a whole, as well as possible solutions.
  • Understand how to take action and impact social issues in community engagement areas of direct service, advocacy, justice, policy and activism.
  • Strengthen various professional skills such as critical thinking/problem solving, oral/written communication, teamwork/collaboration, and professionalism/work ethic.
Program Details
  • Partner weekly commitment: Minimum of two shifts or 4 hours. (as much as 15 hours) 
  • Partners conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, exhibiting punctuality, effective and engaged work habits, and dedication to their job.
  • Partners attend a Site Orientation conducted by community members (approximately 1 hour), as well as a PFS-PFH Orientation and Final Reflection each semester. (approximately 2 hours each)
  • Partners attend site-specific meetings with other Partners assigned to the same site, up to 2 per semester. (approximately 1 hour each)
  • Partners complete a Mid-Semester Check-In and Final Reflection interview each semester with PFS-PFH office staff. (approximately ½ hour)
  • Partners attend 2 Workshops each semester that enhance their knowledge of social issues, cultural diversity and professional skills.
  • Partners communicate with PFS-PFH Office, Site Coordinator, and Program Manager about absences, issues at site, and any other concerns about their participation in PFS-PFH.
  • Partners are compensated for their time at all trainings (Orientations, Site Meetings, Workshops, Mid-Semester Check In, Final Reflection, Literary Circles, Seminars) and their travel time to and from site.  
  • Partners complete the Experiential Learning Seminar (2 meetings) when in their second semester with PFS-PFH.
Partners Council

The Partners for Serving-Partners for Health 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-PFH 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 manager, student coordinators, and the community partners 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.

Experiential Learning

Partners for Serving is an approved pathway for Experiential Learning, which is one component of the Core Curriculum at Naz.