Burnsville, North Carolina

Description of trip:
The opportunity to work with undocumented immigrants initiated by a Jesuit Father Frank Reese, Sj and a Sister of Mercy Sister Peggy Verstege in the Great Smokey Mountains of Appalachia. Burnsville, NC is located East of the Blue Ridge Parkway and nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains located between Mount Mitchell (the highest point) and the City of Ashville. The students and I stayed in lovely home with members of Sacred Heart Parish. We worked beside Sister Peggy Verstege a Sister of Mercy with undocumented women and children from Mexico. She was our guide and coordinator. Our mornings consisted of working with young children in order to prepare them to enter the school system; teaching their mothers English; and we also worked with elementary students helping to prepare them to receive the sacraments. We had opportunities to learn about the histories and cultures of peoples who inhabit Appalachia; to tour some of the sites; and to eat genuine Mexican food prepared by the women in the program for us each day. (Sr. Katherine)

"My experience in North Carolina is something that I'll never
forget. I learned so much about different cultures. I learned more
about myself. Most importantly, my experiences helped me to learn
more about God and grow closer to Him. I'm very grateful to have had
this opportunity."
- Jennifer Pavlovich-

"When going into Alternative Spring Break I was expecting to help others, but what I didn't realize was how much it would change me. This experience wasn't so much about helping others, but about growing as a person. This experience makes one realize how lucky they are and not to take things for granted."
-Stacy Johnson-

"When going on Alternative Spring Break it is like being immersed in a completely different world. It teaches you not to judge others because you do not know where they come from. It always teaches you to try and understand and learn about others instead of just agreeing with what others believe."
-Stacy Johnson-

"Going on ASB made me realize how much I do have and how much I can make a difference even if it is by just helping for a week. My goal for ASB when I returned was to let others know what I experienced but I don't think you can really do that. No one will ever know what people go through until they experience it with them first hand. We can tell them everything and show them pictures but it just isn't enough."
-Kimberly A Osantowsk-