FISH is a community service organization that organizes and performs a wide variety volunteer service projects. FISH offers volunteer opportunities during the week and one Saturday each month. Last year, FISH worked with groups like Habitat for Humanity, Food Outreach, EnergyCare and Neighbors Helping Neighbors doing I a variety of work after-school tutoring, clean-up projects, clothing drives, helping at homeless shelters and daycare shelters. FISH also sponsors at least one service trip outside the St. Louis area each year. All students are welcome to participate in any of the service projects organized by FISH.

Where do you go for your service trips?

Each year, "Fontbonne in Service and Humility (FISH)" chooses a new location. We try to vary the locations and the kinds of service each year. In the past few years we have worked in rural Kentucky and West Virginia, as well as Chicago and Honduras. This year we will be going back to West Virginia in addition to helping with Hurricane Katrina Relief on the MIssissippi Coast in January, and another international trip to Belize in Central America.

How do I become a member of Fontbonne in Service and Humility (FISH)?

There are no membership requirements to be a part of FISH -- no dues, no mandatory meetings, etc. Just participate in one of our activites and enjoy yourself.

What are your service trips like?

Each year, FISH works to plan and lead at least one extended service trip each year. The goal of these trips is spiritual and personal growth through an experience of community, simplicity, true humility, and living the life of the poor. Our daily schedule during the trip includes morning prayer, time for service, community meals, and nightly reflection, journaling, discussion, and prayer. As part of living a simple lifestyle, we agree to give up all telephones, television, movies, computers, internet access, compact discs, iPods, and video games for the duration of the trip. While the physical service that we provide is important and fulfilling, we believe that the more lasting change will occur in ourselves – we will become different people.

Over the last few years, we have traveled across the country and to Central America, including the places listed below.

Zacamil, El Salvador (Summer, May 2000)

Cincinnati, Ohio with the Franciscans for the Poor (Spring Break, March 2001)

Jemez Indian Reservation in Jemez Springs, NM (Winter Break, January 2002)

Christian Appalachian Project in Kentucky (May 2005)

Nazareth Farm in Salem, West Virginia (May 2005)

Chicago (March 2006)

La Ceiba, Honduras (May 2006)

Nazareth Farm in Salem, West Virginia (May 2006)

School of Americas Protest in Fort Benning, Georgia (November 2006)

Biloxi, Mississippi (January 2007)

Tijuana, Mexico (March 2007)

Biloxi, Mississippi (January 2008)

Nazareth Farm in Salem, West Virginia (May 2008)

Tijuana, Mexico (May 2008)

Biloxi, Mississippi (January 2009)

Nazareth Farm in Salem, West Virginia (May 2009)

Punta Gorda, Belize (June 2009)

For more information please contact Sarah Schumacher at (314) 719-3663 or Leslie Doyle at (314) 889-4503.

Also, don't forget to check out our service opportunities page.