LeaderworX

What is LeaderworX?

LeaderworX is an integrated experience of active service, community living, faith exploration, ministry training, and leadership development in one incredible summer.

Each year since 2006, LeaderworX has been offered to young adults seeking to develop themselves personally, professionally, and spiritually through service to those in need, education in Catholic Social Teaching, and orientation in peace and justice advocacy. By helping to facilitate the Center for FaithJustice summer projects, LeaderworX community members minister to middle and high school students as they seek to grow in faith, serve others, and develop a deeper understanding of justice.

Though there are many opportunities for service during one’s education, there are relatively few that allow you to combine community living, professional development, and a passionate commitment to social justice. It is an intense experience that we expect will help you on your journey.

LeaderworX is for young adults seeking to discern how they can work for justice, peace, and human dignity. It is also a great opportunity for those considering a long-term service program, discerning how to make the world a better place, or just trying to figure out what is next in life.

Applications for the 2023 summer can be submitted beginning in October 2022. If you have any questions, please contact Brooke Foster.

Apply today!

LeaderworX FAQ

What does LeaderworX look like?

LeaderworX is a transformative summer program for young adults interested in living in community, sharing their faith, discussing social justice issues, and doing service.

The program consists of two components: Formation and WorX.

Formation Weeks: Community members spend time getting to know each other, participating in robust discussions, taking trips, doing service, praying together, and more! This past summer our LeaderworX community took a trip to Washington, D.C. to learn about immigration reform, served breakfast in Trenton, spent a day at a water park, and went to church together.

WorX Weeks: During these weeks LeaderworX members help to facilitate week long social justice service immersion trips for middle and high school students. These trips allow LeaderworX participants to share what they believe, mentor young people, and give back to the community. Some of our community partners include nursing homes, day cares, summer camps, soup kitchens, day programs for adults with developmental disabilities, and food pantries. These are truly life changing trips for the teenagers who participating in the program.

Who can participate in LeaderworX?

In addition to the age requirements outlined below, applicants should:

  • Be comfortable sharing their life and faith journey in public.
  • Have an interest in learning more about the social teachings of the Catholic Church.
  • Be willing to live in community with other young adults for the duration of their stay.
  • Possess a strong work ethic; hours are long and the work demanding.
  • Be eager to work with young people and to serve at-need populations.
  • Have a good sense of humor.
  • Have proven leadership skills.

We are looking for people of faith committed to social justice and community living. LeaderworX candidates recognize the essential element of community, are comfortable talking about their faith, and are passionate about issues of service and justice. Strong leadership skills, the capacity to take direction, and the ability to live and work with a diverse group of people are all essential.

The LeaderworX program accepts participants meeting the following criteria:   

Senior LeaderworX: Individuals who are over 21 years of age and have a valid U.S. driver’s license and clean driving record. Senior LeaderworX serve as the chaperones for the ServiceworX and JusticeworX participants and receive a stipend of $2,000 for the whole summer or $1,500 for two-thirds of the summer. Housing and meals (food stipend shared by the community) are provided.  

Junior LeaderworX: Individuals who are 18-20 years old (or individual’s 21+ years old without a valid U.S. driver’s license). Junior LeaderworX also serve as chaperones for ServiceworX and JusticeworX, even though they are unable to drive the rental vans we use for programs. Junior LeaderworX receive a stipend of $975 for the whole summer or $650 for two-thirds of the summer. Housing and meals (food stipend shared by the community) are provided.

How do I apply?

You can complete the LeaderworX application online. LeaderworX applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Interviews will be scheduled once we receive your completed application, including references. If you have any questions as you fill out the application, please contact Brooke Foster at leaderworx@faithjustice.org or 609-498-6216 ext.3.

Do LeaderworX members get paid? What other benefits are there?

All community members will be provided with a stipend, housing, and meals (a food stipend shared by the community) for the entirety of their time in the program. Senior LeaderworX (21+ years old with a valid U.S. driver’s license) will receive a stipend of $2,000 for a full summer or $1,500 for two-thirds of the summer. Junior LeaderworX (under 21 years old and/or no U.S. driver’s license) will receive a stipend of $975 for a full summer or $650 for two-thirds of the summer. Junior and Senior LeaderworX who commit to the entire summer are also eligible for travel reimbursement.

Can LeaderworX members have visitors?

Visitors are welcome, particularly during non-program periods. However, due to safety concerns and space limitations, prior permission for visitors should be secured from the program coordinator and/or executive director. While we will certainly attempt to accommodate out-of-town guests, any incurred expenses for additional meals, activity fees, etc. are the responsibility of the program participant and/or guest.

Can LeaderworX members have another job while doing the program?

No. In addition to the fact that you will be very busy for the duration of the summer, LeaderworX participants are expected to spend time with their community as much as possible. It is also very important that you take time to relax, reflect, and rest!

What are the dates for LeaderworX 2023?

The following three LeaderworX options are available for summer 2023:

  •  Whole summer: June 10 – August 6
  •  First two-thirds of the summer: June 10 – July 15
  •  Last two-thirds of the summer: July 8 – August 6

Whole summer participants are eligible for travel reimbursement.

What are the accommodations like?

LeaderworX participants reside at The Center for FaithJustice’s facility – the CASA – in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. LeaderworX participants share rooms with other members and have common spaces at their disposal. There is a kitchen available for all food preparation. The CASA is located in a quiet neighborhood, ideal for talking walks or playing outdoor sports. However, restaurants, bars, live music, shopping, and more are all within easy driving distance.

What does a typical day look like?

LeaderworX consists of two types of weeks: Formation Weeks and WorX Weeks. During Formation Weeks the LeaderworX community is together at the Center for FaithJustice CASA participating in service, meals, liturgy/prayer, discussions about social justice issues, exploration of the surrounding area, sessions with guest speakers, group activities, and relaxation. During WorX weeks the LeaderworX participants are assisting with either JusticeworX or ServiceworX. Both programs are week-long, service and social justice experiences for teens.  JusticeworX is an overnight program for high school teens in either West Virginia, Trenton, Jersey Shore, or Philadelphia.  ServiceworX is a day program for middle school students and is held primarily in the Trenton area. 

Formation Week Sample Day

  • 8:00-8:30am: Mass
  • 9:00am-12:00pm: Split into volunteer service sites groups
  • 12:30-1:30pm: Lunch
  • 2:00-4:00pm: Speaker or other program
  • 4:30-5:30pm: Emmaus Walks
  • 6:30-8:30pm: BBQ with Bethany House

Other activities during formation weeks have included, Soup & Psalms (meal and prayer through song), going out in the local area, day at the local water park, attending a conference/watching a film on a social justice issue, and going to Washington D.C. to lobby with Bread for the World.

JusticeworX Sample Day

  • 7:30am: Wake-up
  • 8:00-8:30am: Breakfast
  • 8:30-8:45am: Morning prayer
  • 8:45am: Depart for service sites
  • 3:30-4:30pm: Return to host site for community time (games, snack, socializing, and playing)
  • 4:30-5:30pm: Showers and cell phone time
  • 5:30-6:30pm: Dinner
  • 6:30-10:00pm: Formation time (journaling, group discussions, large group presentations, activities, etc.)
  • 10:00-10:30pm: Evening prayer
  • 10:30-11:00pm: Staff meeting
  • 11:00pm: Lights out

ServiceworX Sample Day

  • 8:30am: Participants arrive
  • 8:45am: Morning prayer
  • 9:00am-12:00pm: Group is split at a variety of service sites
  • 12:15-1:00pm: Lunch
  • 1:00-1:30pm: Community time (games, socializing, and playing)
  • 1:30-3:45pm: Formation time (journaling, small and large group discussions, activities, etc.)
  • 3:45-4:00pm: Closing prayer
  • 4:00pm: Participants depart
  • 4:00-4:30pm: Staff meeting
  • 4:30pm: Return to the CASA

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