Community Service

Community service plays an integral role in the life of students and faculty at Oakwood Friends School.  Whether it is through our bi-annual “Workshare Day,” grade level community service retreats or volunteer placements, our students find ways to reach out and perform voluntary service within and beyond the Oakwood Friends community.

Workshare Day

Both students and faculty at Oakwood Friends School spend an entire day, twice a year, volunteering in a variety of projects both on and off campus. After each community service day students and faculty reconvene on campus to reflect on the day's work, participate in small student meetings or attend service-oriented guest speaker lectures.  In the spring the school focuses on environmental projects with “Earthshare Day.”

Grade Level Retreats

Each grade takes part in a retreat which includes a community service component. The 9th graders volunteer locally, 10th graders travel to NYC to help out at a homeless shelter housed in a Quaker school, 11th graders volunteer at various locations during their trip to Washington, DC and our 12th graders take part in an end of the year service week with local community organizations. These retreats are designed to gradually increase in both time and independence and give students the opportunity to learn more about local and national issues.

Weekly Volunteers

Another component of the community service program at Oakwood Friends School is the weekly volunteer program. Each Wednesday, students have the opportunity to volunteer either on or off campus and every weekend, 7-day boarders can volunteer as well. Past student volunteers have been placed at Vassar Brothers Hospital, Beulah Baptist Church soup kitchen, the Dutchess County SPCA, the Mid-Hudson Children's Museum, and Martha Lawrence Preschool, located across the street from Oakwood.

Senior Service

In addition to their end of the year service week, each senior is required to complete 20 hours of independent community service at a site of their choice. Locations and volunteer assignments have included working as a camp counselor at a Korean camp, assisting as a tour guide at a local historic estate, and accompanying pets on visits to senior centers. Students also complete journal entries about their experiences which become part of Oakwood's permanent community service archives.

Service-Learning in New Orleans

During spring break a group of seniors and faculty chaperones volunteer to help in the rebuilding efforts of New Orleans.  In order to help them contextualize the New Orleans service learning program, students take part in a series of mini-sessions before the trip covering relative topics such as the science of hurricanes and the arts and culture of New Orleans. Upon their return, they share their experiences with the Oakwood Friends community. Students also plan various fundraising events throughout the year including a Creole Dinner and the annual 5K Race to Rebuild. Contact Community Outreach Coordinator, Julie Okoniewski at (845) 462-4200 x445 or jokoniewski@oakwoodfriends.org for more information.