Service is central to the O’Dea Experience. Current students, alumni, parents, faculty, and staff put their faith in action throughout the school year participating in service events, community outreach, and fundraising efforts that serve others. Our service projects aim to generate opportunities for our entire community to grow together and serve as Christ did.
Listed below are some opportunities we participate in.
As part of the Edmund Rice Christian Brothers Network, students serve marginalized communities at the Texas-Mexico border. Partnering with Catholic Charities and others, they learn about immigration challenges and work in solidarity with peers from Christian Brothers schools nationwide.
Our students work closely St. James’ Cathedral Kitchen offering warm food for those experiencing food insecurity.
Every Advent season, O’Dea students prepare for the coming of Christ through preparing items for families in need to celebrate Christmas. This project is executed through O’Dea’s students’ St. Vincent DePaul chapter’s long standing partnership with Providence Regina House. Students engage in the project with the support of their Mentor Teachers and O’Dea’s Mother’s Club arranges the deliveries to families.
During Thanksgiving O’Dea runs an all school diaper drive. This year, O’Dea’s drive collected an average of over 19,000 diapers, providing essential support to more than 600 families through Providence Regina House.
During Mid-Winter Break, Shirt Across America (SAA) leads a volunteer trip to New Orleans, where students help rebuild homes and explore the South’s rich history. Partnering with Habitat for Humanity and others, SAA has engaged over 4,900 volunteers on 240 Gulf Coast projects since 2008.