Community Action

On campus and beyond, the MA community responds to real-world challenges and issues through service, social justice and advocacy.

The Community Action program at Marin Academy seeks to educate students about civic and social justice issues and inspire them to engage in meaningful action for the betterment of school, local, and global communities. The program reinforces the MA mission to “think, question, and create” in a civic-minded manner while accepting the “responsibilities posed by education in a democratic society” through meaningful community engagement.

Rather than requiring a set number of community service hours, Marin Academy integrates service and civic learning projects into academic courses and programs, inviting all students to participate in some form of community engagement each year. Opportunities are available outside of class to engage in community action and outreach through participation in school-sponsored service events, the Community Action Leadership Council, the Youth Grants Board, and the Crossroads Program. Students also participate annually in grade level service days, service learning minicourses and Conference on Democracy. The director works closely with student leaders, faculty members, MAPA, and community partners to develop a variety of opportunities for service, social justice and advocacy work throughout the year.

Fall Highlights

Community Action Outing for National Coastal Clean-Up Day
MAPA-Community Action Family Service Day
X Day: Biology Service Learning with Marin County Parks
Monthly Brown Bag Lunch-Making for St. Vincent de Paul
Thanksgiving Food Drive with Marin-SF Food Bank
Holiday Gift Drive

Spring Highlights

X Day: 10th-Grade English Service Learning Project
9th-Grade Community Engagement Minicourse
Conference on Democracy
American Red Cross Blood Drive
Earth Day Community Action
Senior Capstone Projects

Let’s All Get Involved!

MA Community Engagement Partner Organizations

MA Community Engagement Partner Organizations

Marin Academy partners with a variety of community organizations to support community needs through volunteerism, charity, and advocacy. Below are some examples of local partner organizations in Marin County. Students can access a more extensive list of MA community engagement partners around the Bay Area here.

St. Vincent de Paul in San Rafael needs volunteers to create and provide packed lunches for those experiencing food insecurity. You can sign up here for a specific day to prepare and deliver meals at 10am or 3pm.

Gilead House provides housing for single mothers and children in Novato and clients are in need of hygiene and other supplies including toilet paper, dish soap, detergent, garbage bags, hand soap. You can also support them with gift cards and other donations. More info here.

SF-Marin Food Bank has volunteer opportunities in both San Francisco and Marin with their pop-up pantries as well as through donations.

Canal Alliance supports local immigrants and their families with a variety of resources and services and is in need of donations toward their Client Support Fund. More info here.

Downtown Streets Team, San Rafael provides housing, employment and services to some of San Rafael’s most vulnerable and is in need of supply donations and financial support. More info here.

American Red Cross is in critical need of blood with the COVID-19 outbreak, and although we had to cancel our annual MA blood drive this spring, there are opportunities to safely donate blood locally to support those in need.

Community Action Leadership Council

The MA Community Action Leadership Council (CALC) is made up of students in their sophomore, junior, or senior year who demonstrate a passion and commitment to community engagement and social justice and a desire to broaden MA’s social impact in the community. The CALC meets bi-weekly to plan and lead a calendar of community engagement events and activities throughout the year. The council also partners with other community-building and civic-minded clubs (Crossroads, Eco/Climate Action, Best Buddies, etc.) and IDEQ and affinity groups on campus to help plan and co-sponsor community engagement events on and off campus.

Youth Grants Board

The Marin Academy Youth Grants Board (MAYGB) was established in fall 2011 in partnership with Youth Leadership Institute and with the help of a grant from the Marin Community Foundation.

Marin Academy students who are sophomores, juniors, or seniors apply and are selected to participate on the board annually. MAYGB members meet bi-weekly during lunch for the duration of grant cycle (October to April). They participate in training to learn the skills it takes to be a grantmaker: problem solving, how to evaluate applications without bias, and how to diplomatically engage with peers to reach an agreement. These are the essential skills that support Marin Academy's philosophy for engaging with our community and fostering an interest in philanthropy.

Each year, MAYGB solicits grant applications from Marin Academy students as well as middle and high school students throughout the Bay Area. Members of MAYGB evaluate all grant proposals, work collectively to decide which to fund, and monitor the progress of grant-awarded projects.

Youth Grants Application

Community Action Goals

Students develop a heightened awareness of and sensitivity to the needs of others within their community so as to foster empathy and a desire to make a positive impact.
Students apply academic, social and interpersonal skills for the betterment of the community. They are involved in making informed decisions and engaging in service, social justice and advocacy to address relevant, real-world challenges and issues.
Students gain a greater understanding of themselves as contributing, compassionate human beings.
Students develop strong leadership and team-building skills through community engagement.

James Hughes

Director of Community Action, English Teacher