Social Justice & Immersion Programs

Ven a Ver Salinas, CA is an immersion into the reality of homelessness and economic poverty. Students will travel to Salinas, CA to get a glimpse of the lives of those on the margins of our society. Days are spent cooking and serving food for the homeless, learning about the dynamics of the community in the Central Valley and in prayer and reflection, among other things. The goal of this trip is for students to have a personal encounter with those who are experiencing homelessness. We hope this encounter will enhance understanding of the Catholic concepts of Human Dignity and Solidarity. Freshman and sophomores may apply.

Dates: Feb. 26-28, 2020
Cost: $250, Financial Aid is available
Freshmen and sophomores may apply.

Ven a Ver San Diego, CA is an immersion into the reality of the US/ Mexico border and immigration. Students will travel to San Diego, CA to experience the border first hand. They will meet with humanitarian aid workers, migrant day laborers, and border patrol agents to more fully understand the experience of immigrants. During the trip, students will travel to Tijuana, Mexico for one day to visit Hogar Infantil La Gloria, an Augustinian sponsored orphanage in Tijuana, visit local nonprofits, and have a prayer service at the border wall. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on these experiences through prayer and reflection throughout the trip. The goal of this immersion is for students to have a personal encounter with the border, while looking through the lens of faith, in order to have an informed opinion about immigration.

Dates: March 8-12, 2020
Cost: $500
Juniors and seniors may apply.

Ven a Ver Washington D.C. is an immersion into the reality of social injustice and political advocacy. Students will travel to Washington D.C. to participate in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice with other high school and college students from across the country. Students will hear from experts and theologians about our responsibility to respond to the needs of our time. Students will have the opportunity to advocate for justice by going to the Capitol and talking with elected congresspersons. The goal is for students to understand that faith and justice are intricately linked and to experience a personal conversion toward living a life of advocacy for and solidarity with the poor and marginalized in our world.

Dates: November 2020
Cost: $800
Juniors and seniors may apply.

Each year all junior students participate in an Urban Plunge experience with St. Anthony’s Foundation in the Tenderloin, an organization that seeks to feed, heal, shelter, clothe, and lift the spirits of those in need. This experience, organized jointly by the Campus Ministry & Religious Studies Departments, is a part of our ethics and Catholic Social Teaching curriculum and is a time when students learn about poverty and homelessness by getting to know and serve people in the Tenderloin.

Students will go on Urban Plunge through their Symbols and Ethics classes between February 20th - April 9th and will be absent from regular classes for the day of their trip.

Full information for parents available here.

2019-20 Dates:
To be announced