Immersion Experience
Faith That does Justice
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Immersion Experience Program
Students experience the service of faith and promotion of justice through the pillars: spirituality, education, service, community and social justice. Through Immersion, students enter into communities for faith formation and educational preparation, experience the realities of others' poverty, and return to Walsh Jesuit with excitement and passion in continuing relationships with those on the margins of society.
The Immersion experience challenges one to develop ways to share their stories while wrestling with questions about privilege, race and social justice. Each summer, 90+ Walsh Jesuit Community members live and work with people on the margins of society. Our students and employees devote their time in serving others all around the world. -
Trip Locations
Locations vary yearly, but some examples are:- Cincinnati, Ohio
- Camden, New Jersey
- Bethlehem Farm, West Virginia
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Arizona/Mexico - Kino Border
- Ecuador
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When do I apply?
Applications will be available near mid-October.
Once selected, students must participate in formation sessions throughout the remainder of the school year. These meetings allow groups to get to know their companions, learn about their trip location and reflect and pray about specific social justice issues pertinent to their trip.
Domestic Trips
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Arizona/Mexico
Location: Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico.
Kino border initiative is a bi-national organization that works in the field of migration. The mission of KBI is to advocate for the dignity of the human person. This is affirmed through direct assistance and accompaniment with migrants, social and pastoral education with communities on both sides of the border. Participation in networks that engage in research and advocacy to transform immigration policies. More info: www.kinoborderinitiative.org -
Bethlehem Farm, WV
Alderson, West Virginia: located in central Appalachia
Students will serve through the farms 4 cornerstones: service, simplicity, prayer and community. Volunteer’s stay on the farm and workdays are spent at various sites with projects like repairing local homes, maintaining the farm, and working with local farmers. Volunteer’s will learn about sustainable practices through the farms live-in workers. More info: www.bethlehemfarms.net -
Camden, NJ
The Urban Challenge Program is an urban service-learning, immersion experience rooted in the Catholic faith tradition. Offering a point of access to the lives and stories of the people of Camden, NJ, and its surrounding communities. The Urban Challenge Program, through the partnership with the Romero Center, is a unique educational and retreat opportunity that helps its participants gain an understanding of urban poverty, its causes, and the many issues people living in these communities confront every day. Urban decay, unemployment, food insecurity, lack of access to quality education, lack of affordable housing and homelessness, and environmental injustice are among those. https://www.romerocenter.org/ -
Cincinnati, OH
The Ozanam Center for Service Learning provides a safe space to build community through service, education, and reflection in the Catholic tradition. Our programs seek to provide meaningful service experiences, engage participants in reflection and education on poverty and justice issues, and grow a commitment to action. https://www.svdpcincinnati.org/ -
Louisville, KY
Kentucky is one of the top resettlement states in the US for refugees. We will work in partnership with Catholic Charities of Louisville (CCL) to immerse ourselves in the work and lives of refugees and those that work to help them. The goal of CCL is to help refugees overcome obstacles to achieve self-sufficiency. We will also be helping and learning about ecology, homelessness, workers’ rights, and intersectionality. https://cclou.org
International Trips
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Ecuador
We partner with Rostro De Cristo. Rostro de Cristo works with various partners across the cities of Durán and Guayaquil which retreat participants may visit, including: Fundacion Nuevo Mundo, a progressive bilingual school for the disadvantaged of Durán and Guayaquil and Hogar de Cristo, an international Jesuit organization that provides affordable housing and social services to the poor. In addition, Rostro de Cristo has founded and runs after-school programs, which groups visit and participate in. https://rostrodecristo.org/
Excerpt from a Student
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Bethlehem Farm, West Virginia
On my first immersion experience to Bethlehem Farm, I found myself wanting to leave after the first twenty-four hours. I found myself really second guessing whether I should be there or not.I finally realized that this is a once in a lifetime experience, and I need to take advantage of it. By my second morning of waking up on the farm, I found myself appreciating and loving the smell and the wonderful view I woke up to.Read More
Bethlehem Farm is a farm on top of a hill surrounded by other hills in the Appalachian Mountains. Every morning I would wake up with the sight of fog and a gorgeous sunrise. Besides the beautiful view I woke up to, I was able to help the surrounding communities and families around Bethlehem Farm; I worked on two roofs and met incredible people.
On the first roof I worked on, I met the homeowner whose name is Susan. Susan has the biggest smile and most positive attitude. I was able to talk to her when my group first arrived, and she shared some of her story with me. She told me how the house she was living in was her mother's, and how her mother's last wish was for Susan to live in her home.
Through meeting Susan, I could find God. She showed me how God is genuine and kind. She showed me how God works through activities I take part in. After my Bethlehem Farm immersion, I felt more comfortable talking to God and reflecting on my days. My immersion experience at Bethlehem Farm opened my eyes to how being open to new experiences is helpful in learning more about God and others.
- Pamela Lewis '17 -
Cleveland, Ohio
". . . my group & I really focused on meeting people that lived in the Ohio City area. We ate at St. Herman's for lunch and dinner, volunteered at St. Malachi's back door kitchen & Catholic Worker. St. Herman's is a food shelter that feeds those who need breakfast, lunch & dinner.My chaperones wanted us to really immerse ourselves into our community and had us eat and interact with the homeless. For me, it was challenging at first, because I truly had to go out of my comfort zone.Read More
This immersion experience challenged me in my social relationships, but also helped me to grow in my social relations in a positive way. I am now more open to meeting new people and interacting with people I normally would not.
I was able to find God and strengthen my relationship with him when I met Kelly at St. Herman's. Kelly showed me how God works in mysterious ways. She told me how she travelled up to Cleveland from North Carolina. Kelly shared with me her past, and how she was addicted to heroin after getting into a car accident. She moved to Cleveland in order to get a fresh start. Kelly showed me how God has a plan for everyone that is bigger and better than any one of us can imagine.
- Pamela Lewis '17
As a Christ-centered community, we strive to be Men and Women for and with Others.
