Service Immersion Trips
What service trips?
University Ministry offers multiple service trips throughout the academic year: Alternative Winter Break (AWB) in early January, Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in mid-March, and the International Service Experience (ISE) in late April/early May. Applications for all trips are made available early in the fall semester.
Why service trips?
All of these trips provide students an opportunity to see the world in a different light, while offering service to those less fortunate. Participation gives students and colleagues a chance to live the charisms of the Sisters of Mercy and the Society of Jesus. It's a chance for direct service, combined with reflection on how our perspectives and hearts are touched by others. In this, they live out the Jesuit goal of education of being "men and women for others" and the Mercy tradition of "compassionate service to those in need."
More information:
Applications for our 2011-2012 service trips will be available for download or pick up starting September 14, 2011.
Important dates for our 2011-2012 service trips may be found here.
For more information on past trips, please see the resources provided below.
AWB
Alternative Winter Break
In January 2012, our Alternative Winter Break will be in Tuscaloosa, AL for tornado relief services. During this trip students will be able to help and accompany those who have been affected by natural disasters.
or pictures from AWB, please visit our University Ministry facebook page.
ASB
Alternative Spring Break
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New Orleans, LA
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San Jose, CA
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Detroit, MI
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Washington DC
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Chicago, IL
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Salem, WV
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Nogales, AZ
For pictures from ASB, please visit our University Ministry facebook page.
For ASB blog entries courtesy of our 2011 Breakers, please click here.ISE
International Service Experience - El Salvador 2012
This year the ISE trip will be going to San Salvador, El Salvador for 7 days (April 28th - May 5th). During this trip we will be enterting the reality of the poor in El Salvador while being immered into their culture of struggle, hope and resilience. We will be partnering with the Handmaid of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in their Project FIAT (Faith in Action Together). Service will include building homes and roads side by side with local communities, helping to nurture malnourished children at a local center, playing and accompaning children, organizing after school activities and opening our hearts to the Salvadoran people.
To Learn more about Project FIAT click here.
Connecting Service and Ministry to Academics
This year, we are offering a course in conjunction with ISE: El Salvador 2012
PHL 4950-01
MLS 5050-03
Directed Readings: Social Jusitce in Central America
Service Learning Course
Course description: This course is offered in conjunction with University Ministry's International Service Abroad program in El Salvador, from April 28 - May 5, 2012. We will meet on campus Jan. - April to discuss several books which will form a background for understanding our service experience in El Salvador. Themes include service learning and its relationship to social justice, the current challenges in El Salvador, and Liberation philosophy and theology as expressed by the Jesuits at the Universidad Centroamerica, both the past Jesuit martyrs as well as other Jesuit authors from UCA. Register Now!
Breakers Making Waves
Click the following link to view the ASB article in The Michigan Catholic!
"Spring break is a time of service for some UDM students"
In March 2009, students and Colleague Service Partners traveled to El Paso TX, Biloxi/Waveland MS, Sacramento CA, Mt. Pleasant SC and New Orleans LA. Students had the opportunity to learn new skills, but more importantly they realized that all people need love and care, no matter where they live. View 2009 ASB Overview Video (.wmv)
