Why is service important at CHCA? Is it about racking up big impressive numbers or receiving accolades and thank yous? Is it about checking another box or putting another activity on a résumé? At CHCA, a commitment to service is about so much more than those things: it’s a way for us to model Christ’s love to others while growing in our faith and maturing as leaders. The life of Jesus and his teachings leads us to the undeniable truth that our lives are to be actively involved in loving and serving one another, especially the poor and disenfranchised.
 

From preschool through 12th grade, Cincinnati Hills has a variety of relevant and age-appropriate service opportunities for everyone to take part in. Students serve their city neighbors, in other states or in other countries. Middle school National Junior Honor Society students organize penny wars, car washes and Thanksgiving food donations, while high school students lead or join dozens of outreach projects as part of Student Organized Service (SOS) groups. When students travel on mission trips to places like Appalachia, Chicago, Mexico or India they come home inspired, changed and deepened. They are inspired to do something about the poverty they have seen - they are changed by cross-cultural friendships they have made and they are deepened by an authentic understanding of Christ’s call to love our neighbors.

An emphasis on service flows through CHCA’s curriculum too. For example, our elementary students complete a class project every quarter, learning about an agency’s need and finding a way to help out; during advisories middle schoolers made blankets to send with their classmates traveling to Monterrey, Mexico; as a high school student you can take a video editing class that creates videos for non-profit organizations.

At CHCA, it all comes down to loving God and loving people. Together, we can make a difference.