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Mission Statement for Community Service
The mission of the Charles Wright Service Learning Committee is to develop each person's potential for moral conduct and responsible citizenship by blending service learning into the intellectual, physical and artistic life of the Upper School. We strive for service that comes from our hearts, that is incorporated into our lives, and that connects us with others.
Service from our hearts,
Incorporated into our lives,
Connecting us with others.
CWA Spirituality Statement
Founded under the auspices of the Episcopal Church, Charles Wright Academy has always strived to educate the whole child. CWA welcomes diversity in religious and spiritual beliefs by accepting students of any faith or none and respects that each person's spiritual journey is unique and is shaped by many forces. The school inspires students' spiritual growth by exposing them to diverse sources of wisdom from the world's great religious traditions. Led by the Chaplain, CWA seeks to deepen students' understanding of world faiths and to celebrate common values of faith, respect, compassion and courage. CWA promotes a strong commitment of service to the community. We educate students to believe they can make a difference as responsible global citizens.
—Adopted by the Board of Trustees Spring, 2007
Charles Wright’s chaplain serves both as a spiritual mentor and as amember of the teaching faculty. The chaplain inspires and encourages students in their spiritual growth, exposing them to diverse sources of religious wisdom from the world’s great traditions. The goal of this education is to reveal to students the important ethical and spiritualdimensions of life.
The chaplain is a Christian who respects all that is wise and useful in the world and encourages students to explore and understand their own religious beliefs. The hope is to cultivate young adults who respect and celebrate common values of faith, respect, compassion, and courage.
In the Lower School, there are weekly chapel services and attendance by all students is assumed. These gatherings are an opportunity to address character virtues such as tolerance, forgiveness, and patience as well as to celebrate service projects like the annual food drive. Chapel also provides instruction about the sacred stories, values and holy days of the world’s major religions. Guest story-tellers and parents share traditions such as Hanukkah, the Buddhist New Year, or Native American wisdom. Chapel themes are developed through story-telling, song, videos, and activities.
In the Upper School, the chaplain assists with the community service program. The chaplain addresses students in assemblies and brings guest speakers to inspire a sense of social responsibility.
The chaplain also supervises the unique Chapel Home project, a partnership between the school and Catholic Community Service’s Phoenix Housing Network. Twice a year, Charles Wright hosts homeless families, providing shelter and meals. The entire CWA community, including faculty, staff, parents and students, are encouraged to participate.
The chaplain also organizes community events that bring the school’s community together in celebration: the Christmas Eve service, the all-school Holiday Festival, and a Baccalaureate service for seniors and their parents. The chaplain is available throughout the week for personal counseling or just good conversation.
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