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Ramblers Learn, Grow and Serve Others on Summer Service Trips
Loyola Academy summer service and immersion trips provide real-life, community-based learning experiences for students in the United States and abroad.
Through the pillars of service, community, reflection and simplicity, these programs are meant to be a catalyst for the student to work for greater justice in the world.
Below are highlights from the summer 2017 trips:
APPALACHIAN INSTITUTE, Wheeling, WV
June 11-17 and June 18-24
Students worked with various social service agencies in the region including soup kitchens, disaster relief, children and elderly programs and community revitalization projects. Immersion trips with The Appalachian Institute focus on relationship building with Appalachian communities, authentic learning on the challenges and beauty of the region, reflection based on Jesuit pedagogy and action steps for continued connection after the immersion experience.
June 11-17 and June 18-24
Students worked with various social service agencies in the region including soup kitchens, disaster relief, children and elderly programs and community revitalization projects. Immersion trips with The Appalachian Institute focus on relationship building with Appalachian communities, authentic learning on the challenges and beauty of the region, reflection based on Jesuit pedagogy and action steps for continued connection after the immersion experience.
APPALACHIAN FOLKLIFE, Pipestem, WV
June 11-17 and June 18-24
June 11-17 and June 18-24
Volunteers participated in community development projects including helping residents with simple home maintenance and repairs. Students experienced meaningful interactions with the people of West Virginia and cultural and educational activities relating to Appalachia.
CHICAGO URBAN PLUNGE, Chicago, IL
June 11-16
Students spent the week at the Brother David Darst Center, an immersion based organization located in the Bridgeport neighborhood of Chicago. Students served at soup kitchens, worked with children, visited social service agencies and explored some of the root causes of poverty and injustice, especially as it relates to urban issues.
CINCINNATI URBAN PLUNGE, Cincinnati, OH
June 11-16
Students built relationships with people in Cincinnati, OH, while doing a variety of work from serving at a soup kitchen to light home repair. Organized through Franciscans for the Poor, this trip was in partnership with a group from Saint Ignatius in Chicago.
DAYSTAR CENTER, Cairo, IL
June 11-16 and June 18-23
Day Star Community Programs is a partner with Catholic Charities that works with people in need in Southern Illinois. The primary activities were painting and small repairs for senior citizens as well as assisting staff in organizing the food pantry and thrift shop at the Day Star Center.
DETROIT URBAN PLUNGE, Detroit, MI
June 18-23
Ramblers learned about issues relating to homelessness, food and hunger, immigration and poverty in the city of Detroit. The trip included visits to Cass Community Services, Earthworks Farm, Capuchin Soup Kitchen and Freedom House. Additionally, time was spent learning about the culture and history of Detroit through exploration of museums and conversations with different communities in the area.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, Winona, MN
June 25-30 and July 23-28
Volunteers spent the week working with Habitat for Humanity, an international organization with a mission of providing simple, affordable homes to families in Winona and Fillmore counties. Volunteers worked primarily with the “A Brush With Kindness” program doing painting, landscaping and other simple maintenance improvements. The week included fellowship with people with special needs and a high ropes challenge course on the campus of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.
JERUSALEM FARM, Kansas City, MO
July 30-Aug 5
Founded on the cornerstones of community, simplicity, prayer and service, Jerusalem Farm provides volunteers with a week- long service retreat experience in Kansas City, MO. Days were spent doing home repair in the local community with a focus on building relationships, prayer and living simply. This trip was in partnership with a group from Saint Ignatius in Chicago.
KINO BORDER INIATIATVE, Nogales, AZ
July 15-21
Students spent the week at the Arizona/Mexico border with the Kino Border Initiative, an organization that offers participants an opportunity to spend time with migrants, serve at a local soup kitchen and women’s shelter and converse with people impacted by immigration. The trip humanized the immigration issue and helps Ramblers to recognize its complexity, while emphasizing accompaniment of people on their journey.
MARILLAC HOUSE, Chicago, IL
June 12-16
Marillac House is a mission organization of the Daughters of Charity. Students worked primarily in the daycare facility, but also assisted with other programs.
MILWAUKEE URBAN PLUNGE, Milwaukee, WI
June 11-16
Located in the center of multiple diverse communities, Casa Romero’s urban plunge experience gives volunteers the opportunity to work on various community service projects and build relationships with the local community. In particular, the week focused on immigration issues and provided opportunities for education, reflection and dialogue.
NICARAGUA IMMERSION, Cusmapa, Nicaragua
June 10-19
Participants spent most of the week in San Jose Cusmapa, a rural village approximately eight hours from the capital city of Managua, where they worked side by side with children and families in the area. Students and chaperones worked with the local community on a project doing manual labor while building relationships with the families in the area. Evenings were spent meeting with various members of the community, including a visit to a basket making and jewelry cooperative and a coffee farm.
SAINT PROCOPIUS, Chicago, IL
August 1-7
The Saint Procopious trip is an immersion experience in the predominantly Spanish speaking Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago. Volunteers assisted at food and clothing pantries at the beginning of the week, but the bulk of the experience was spent helping the parish prepare for its annual Kermes in honor of Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos. Students and chaperones helped staff booths, prepare food and otherwise prepare for the big festival weekend. This trip was in partnership with a group from Saint Ignatius in Chicago.
SAINT LOUIS URBAN PLUNGE, Saint Louis, MO
June 11-16
This urban plunge explored the city of Saint Louis with special attention to homelessness, urban hunger and food justice, children and the needs of the community of immigrants.
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