More than 150 representatives from 70 social service agencies and schools throughout Los Angeles converged at Loyola High School Sept. 16 to offer a variety of service opportunities as part of the Jesuit prep school's ongoing formation program.

More than 1,200 Loyola students and 100 teachers took part in Loyola's ninth Community Service Fair at its Pico Heights campus to become acquainted with the agencies and venues that they will seek out for their service projects throughout the school year.

The service placement partners included representatives from LAUSD special education schools, East and South Los Angeles Catholic and public schools, skid row soup kitchens, Catholic social service agencies, literacy education promoters and veterans' assistance.

In addition, representatives from Verbum Dei High School in Watts, Santa Margarita High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, and Marymount College in Rancho Palos Verdes all attended the event with the purpose of developing their own community forums.

"It takes a whole village or, in this case, a whole church to teach social awareness and responsibility," said Tom Zeko, Loyola community service director. "The partnerships among the organizations of the Catholic community was evident through lively conversations at the Fair. The vital partnerships engaging family, school and church organizations were very evident today. That is just what the Loyola Community Service Fair intends to do."

Hosted by the Loyola Mothers' Guild and the Community Service Leadership Team, the event supports these service programs:

o Freshmen: The 325 freshmen took part in the fair to seek out various service projects as part of the freshman orientation and service weekend. There, teams of students branch out throughout the surrounding neighborhoods to take part in getting to know their neighbors through community service relationships.

o Sophomores and Juniors: 630 students, who contribute at least 25 hours yearly in community service, reviewed the possible site offerings for their new service projects this year.

o Seniors: After three years of volunteering throughout the city on weekends and after school, the seniors visited the fair for possible sites for their daytime immersion projects that will be conducted over the course of three weeks next January at an estimated 90 community sites throughout L.A. County. Many of these sites are Catholic-sponsored grade schools, hospitals, shelters, centers and outreach agencies.

"I didn't know what to do for my community service hours before the fair," noted Loyola senior Jared Padilla of West Los Angeles. "But after I had the opportunity to meet and talk with all of the representatives, I have a strong idea of where I would like to volunteer my time. The quality and variety of needy organizations was amazing. There was definitely a place for every Cub to make a difference."

Loyola's community service program engages students in serving a minimum of 150 direct service hours with the needy who are poor, disfranchised and marginalized. Service relationships must express one or more of the works of mercy. Over half of Loyola's students graduate with more than 300 hours of service completed over the course of four years.

"Each year at the Community Service Fair, I admire the dedication of the groups that come and ask for our help," observed Loyola senior Jimmy Cipiti. "This makes me realize how important the service we sign up for is and how it directly affects people. Loyola does a great job at giving us the opportunity to give back to our community."