Student Life
Cocurriculars
Summer Service Trips Expand Hearts and Minds of Ramblers
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 2018 trips:
APPALACHIAN INSTITUTE, Wheeling, WV
June 10-16 and June 17-23
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 10-16 and June 17-23
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 10-15
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 10-15
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 10-15
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.
TWIN CITIES URBAN PLUNGE, St. Paul and Minneapolis, MN
June 10-26
This trip helped students reflect on the lifelong call to service. Students had the opportunity to meet with individuals and groups who have dedicated their lives to serving others and participated in service at a variety of agencies and organizations in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, Winona, MN
June 24-29 and July 22-27
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 29-Aug 4
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 INITIATIVE, Nogales, AZ
July 15-20
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 10-16
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 10-15
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.
SAINT PROCOPIUS, Chicago, IL
August 6-13
The Saint Procopius 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 17-22
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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