Service Learning at ST: Preschool Builds Empathy Through Action

At St. Thomas, service learning begins early. Our preschool program introduces young students to the power of community projects, nurturing empathy and a sense of social responsibility from the very start. Through simple, hands-on activities, preschoolers build foundational values such as kindness, generosity, and the importance of caring for others.

One of our key service learning initiatives for preschool is Caring Coins, a school-wide monetary drive supporting Zanmi Beni, an organization that provides a safe and loving home for children in Haiti. Zanmi Beni, meaning “Blessed Friends” in Haitian Creole, is a permanent home for 64 children and young adults, many of whom have disabilities, who were orphaned or displaced by the 2010 earthquake that devastated much of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

Since its founding, Zanmi Beni has provided a place of safety, care, and hope—thanks in part to the ongoing support of communities like ours. St. Thomas has been one of Zanmi Beni’s earliest and most faithful supporters. Funds raised by our community have helped build an education center and provided books, uniforms, tutoring, therapy, and enrichment activities for the Beni family.

Our preschool students support Caring Coins through a variety of ways: collecting coins, selling lemonade, doing chores, and participating in a special on-campus Wheel-A-Thon. They proudly pedaled for a purpose and demonstrated that no act is too small to make a big difference for this important cause.

Watch the video below to learn more about how our preschoolers are stepping up to serve others through supporting school wide service projects like Caring Coins, and how prioritizing service learning right from the start helps our students build a foundation of compassion and generosity during the years that matter most.