Service and Justice Experiences

(BEGINS SUNDAY, October 8th)

Driving  

Aquinas Center is located on the campus of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Community in the heart of South Philadelphia. Parishioners and guests come together to express hospitality, promote education, and engage in service.  The group will have a true cross-cultural experience in this community that is home to immigrants from various parts of the world as well as long time residents of South Philly.  This immersion experience will involve meaningful service that balances interaction with people (tutoring, recreation, literacy, etc.) and demonstrated impact (community gardening, packing food, painting, etc.) as well as neighborhood tours, educational presentations, and guided reflections around faith and justice topics.

Website: http://staquinas.com/aquinascenter/

Cost: $300       Participants: 12

Flying                                                                                                                      

The Fort Smith area is rugged, mountainous and steeped in rich American history. Arkansas Valley Habitat has constructed over 100 homes since 1989 in Crawford and Sebastian Counties. Participants are lodged at a local church and several meals are shared with people from the community.

Website: http://habitatfs.org/                                                     

Cost: $750       Participants: 14

(Begins Sunday, October 8th) 

Driving

The Center for Environmental Transformation (CFET) is an environmental retreat center with an urban farm located in Camden, NJ. During the week, the group will spend their days working on service projects at a variety of locations throughout the city.  Participants can expect to work on projects that expose the social injustices that are in Camden.  These activities focus on topics like education, homelessness, food access, and community development.  During the evenings, there will be a number of educational sessions which help participants contextualize their experience and better understand their connection to the city of Camden.  

Website: http://www.cfet.org/

Cost: $300       Participants: 10

Northern New Mexico is one of the most unique and culturally distinct areas of the United States. It is the home of both ancient Native American communities and pueblos founded long before the inception of the United States.  Traditional Navajo refer to themselves as Dine'. The real name for Navajo Nation is Dinetah. Visiting Dinetah  offers a rare opportunity to connect with ourselves, each other, and the natural world through a unique blend of cultural immersion, environmental intimacy, and service opportunities that can be deeply inspiring and transformational. Participants will stay on a farm that uses both modern and traditional agricultural practices and visit with Navajo people. Much of this experience will be about being a witness to the beauty of the Native American culture. 

Website: www.communitylearningnetwork.org

Cost: $800       Participants: 14

ESVA Habitat serves two of VA's poorest counties on Rural Delmarva Peninsula between Atlantic Ocean & Chesapeake Bay. Farming and commercial fishing are the main industries. They have a large low-income population, much substandard housing and few unskilled job options (Perdue plant). There is a growing Hispanic population working in agriculture and construction.  Many live in labor camps.  They have many small towns with a friendly family atmosphere and great hospitality. 

Website: http://www.easternshorehabitat.org/

Cost: $350 Participants: 16

Flying

During this week of immersion, students live on Rancho Mastatal, an environmentally sustainable ranch.  Participants learn practices of sustainability by living at the ranch, and they have opportunities to learn first-hand from the tropical forests of Mastatal.  Students also have opportunities to learn about the economic and cultural make-up of the local Costa Rican communities, especially during two days of home stays.  Throughout the week, students may work on rainforest restoration projects on the ranch, in parks and in gardens. 

Website: http://ecoteach.com/

Cost: $1,400    Participants: 12

Driving

There is significant need for both new houses and neighborhood revitalization projects in Winston-Salem where 5% of the housing does not meet the minimum housing code and 2.5% live in over-crowded conditions.  Forsyth County HFH has built over 375 homes and served more than 1,400 families in our 30 years. Participants will stay in dormitory style housing and will meet with Villanova alumni from the area.

Website:  http://www.habitatforsyth.org/

Cost: $350       Participants: 18

Driving

Habitat for Humanity of Catawba Valley is located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is a non-profit, Christian-based community organization dedicated to building simple, decent, and affordable housing for hard-working, low-income families in their community. They build approximately 10 houses a year with the help of many volunteers and donors. 

Website: http://www.hickoryhabitat.org/index.html

Cost: $350       Participants: 16

Driving

Groups in Auxier work with Hand in Hand Ministries at the Auxier Center.  They primarily assist with home repairs and at a food pantry that is open twice a month for income-qualified members of the community. The center provides food for at least 100 families each month. Other opportunities to work the community may arise.

Website: http://myhandinhand.org/

Cost: $350       Participants: 14

Driving 

Marion County has the highest unemployment rate in the state and poverty housing is rampant. The affiliate is striving to eliminate that by building one quality, affordable home at a time.  Participants will have plenty of work to do and will be welcomed by the Marion community, which prepares most meals for college groups.

Website:  http://www.marionschabitatforhumanity.org/

Cost: $350  Participants: 18               

Driving

Maine has the oldest housing stock in the country and much of it is substandard.  Midcoast Habitat serves Knox County addressing the need for affordable housing. The affiliate is based in Rockport, where they have an office and ReStore. They are currently building in Rockland and anticipate the next build in Thomaston. There is plenty to do in the Midcoast area especially outdoor activities.

Website: www.midcoasthabitat.org/

Cost: $350        Participants: 16

Flying

Kingston, Jamaica is the Starting place of Mustard Seed Communities (MSC). MSC is an international nonprofit focused on caring for vulnerable populations in the developing world. Since 1978 until today, MSC has provided loving and lifelong care to over 600 children and adults with disabilities, children affected by HIV/AIDS, and young mothers. This mission Service and Justice Experience is focused on working and playing with children as well as working on a project such as construction, painting, farming, or landscaping.

Website: http://www.mustardseed.com/home

Cost: $1400 Participants: 12