Posts Tagged With: Immersion Trip

It’s About More than Sheetrock

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

IT’S ABOUT MORE THAN SHEETROCK Service involves solidarity—finding common cause with others, particularly with those in need. Solidarity involves long-term partnerships, community building, time, and trust. That’s why Wheeling Jesuit students continue to serve in New Orleans nine years after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the city. During winter break, fourteen students and two staff joined our friends at Youth Rebuilding New Orleans (yrno.com) hanging drywall in a rebuilt house in the city’s Lakeview neighborhood. But it’s about more than sheetrock: it’s about the relationships, the interactions with organizations and individuals that, in the words of Elizabeth Nawrocki, ’16, “showed hope for the area in the future.”

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Thanks For The Shoutout, Mr. President

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

WE DID IT AGAIN! Wheeling Jesuit University has been admitted to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the second year in a row! WJU has been recognized as one of the leading universities in promoting actions to solve community problems while involving students along the way. The SSAC would like to congratulate WJU students, staff and community partners who gave their time and effort in serving to make a difference in the Wheeling community and beyond. Furthermore, WJU students are committed in helping communities as close as Wheeling, WV and as far as Central America. Seven students spent Spring Break on a service trip in El Salvador. Kara DeSantis, Senior, said "You grow as a person when you do service, and that's what college is about."

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Where Did Your Food Come From?

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

Ten WJU students have chosen to spend their Spring Break participating in the Food Justice Immersion Trip. They enjoyed exploring backyard gardening, urban farming and industrial agriculture in the Ohio Valley. These students experienced milking cows, building compost piles and planting seeds. They learned the importance of nutrient cycling by planting gardens in vacant lots in neighborhoods in Wheeling, WV. The Food Justice Immersion Trip has taught students about the problems and opportunities of our food system in the 21st century. Community gardening, food co-ops, faith-based food initiatives, regional food hubs are some healthy alternatives to supermarket food that cost a fortune. “This experience was not only fun but informative as well. I am glad that through this trip I have made an impact in the Wheeling community.” says Rachel Enders ‘16.

 

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Hola NOLA!

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

“New Orleans is called the ‘Big Easy’ but I found it the city of ‘Big Love’”<br />–Rebecca McDaniel (Right)<br />Along with Rebecca are fifteen others who visited<br />New Orleans, LA to participate in a number of service<br />activities such as reconstructing homes and organizing<br />a warehouse. A week spent in New Orleans has been an eye-opening experience, which helped students realize the challenges that people encounter in other parts of the country. Meeting New Orleans natives who have faced struggles in life has taught students that they can overcome any challenges with courage and love. While in New Orleans, the group also had the opportunity to check out Bourbon Street’s many historic buildings in the French Quarter, the oldest neighborhood in the city. We at the SSAC cannot wait to come back. See you next year New Orleans!

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Immersed in Central America

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

The Senior Arrupe Scholars pose during an excursion to Antigua, Guatemala We welcome back TWO immersion trips this week that made the most of their winter break in service with others. Right now we are proud to focus on the Arrupe Scholars that returned from El Salvador after volunteering with Project FIAT. While in Central America, they performed service that ranged from visiting an orphanage to building and laying the foundation for a school. This was supplemented with experiences to learn about the nation’s history, economy and culture to give context to people they met there. The group also studied the life and mission of Archbishop Oscar Romero as he worked passionately for the poor of the country before his assassination in 1980. Everyone returned home safely with a better understanding of this beautiful country and warm memories of the people that were so welcoming.

 

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Immersion Trip to Camden, NJ

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

 

We welcome back everyone from Fall Break, but especially the students that participated on recent immersion trips. One group went to better understand urban poverty in Camden, NJ, where through the Romero Center, served with locals at a health fair for the underinsured as well as the wheelchair-bound residents of the Inglis House. Reflections and learning activities also allowed students to step out of their comfort zones, especially during one day’s challenge to eat three meals with only $3. The SSAC would also like to give a shout-out to the Appalachian Experience Club that spent their break chopping wood for the Sisters of Big Laurel Ecology Center in Mingo County, WV. It is inspiring to see the great work done both in urban and rural places.

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Return of the Summer Immersion Trips

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

School’s out for summer! We hope everyone is enjoying their break as a chance to relax, rejuvenate and reconnect with your home communities.  It certainly is quiet around the WJU campus. We recently celebrated the safe return of two immersion trips. Our Sophomore Arrupe Service Scholars were in Mingo County, WV learning and serving in a beautiful region of rural Appalachia. They performed farm chores with the Sisters at Big Laurel Ecology Center and helped at a kid’s camp. The Junior Arrupe Scholars found themselves in the opposite environment of urban Camden, NJ where they volunteered through the Romero Center as well as simulated what it’s like to live as a working poor person in a major city. We hope you enjoyed our postcard!

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Immersed in East Wheeling

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

The end of the semester means the beginning of immersion trips for the Arrupe Scholars. Last week the First Year students participated on a local “in”mersion to East Wheeling. They learned about community, identity and growth by working with six great organizations, including Laughlin Memorial Chapel, The Catholic Neighborhood Center, Appalachian Outreach, King’s Daughters Child Care Center, The Mother Jones House and The East Wheeling Community Gardens. Check out the trip pictures at facebook.com/SsacAtWju to see the work that got done and the people they met along the way. We hope more students will take the opportunity to serve in and explore this great part of Wheeling!

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WJU Receives Community Service Award!

Posted on March 23, 2012 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU

WE DID IT! Wheeling Jesuit University has been admitted to the 2012 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll! Let us congratulate the university students and staff who gave their time (26,000 hours last year alone!) and also to our community partners that allowed them to make such an impact in the Ohio Valley and beyond. Speaking of doing great things… WJU students have returned from an immersion trip in Nashville where they learned about urban poverty and how organizations are making a difference. Some Arrupe scholars also made the most of their Spring Break by leading 59 participants from 4 schools on immersion trips throughout West Virginia. Keep up the great work everyone and enjoy this awesome weather!

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Students Return from Immersion Trips

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Service for Social Action Center at WJU
The SSAC is proud to present the first EVER postcard from our new mini-blog! Subscribe to the right to receive these regular updates from our office. Two student groups made the most of their past winter break by spending a week performing service and learning about the local community they visited. The Arrupe Scholars worked in El Salvador on a variety of projects from laying the foundation for a school to carrying water for families. The other group served with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans, an org founded by students at the local Jesuit high school after Hurricane Katrina. Remember to subscribe & follow our new Twitter account! —>
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