For more information on any of these activities please contact Luci-Jo DiMaggio at ext. 1405 or dimaggi171@duq.edu.

Cross/cultural Mission Experiences Full for 2009-2010

Dominican Republic

Applications are now being accepted for the Dominica Republic Cross-Cultural Mission Experience through Spiritan Campus Ministry.  The experience will be August of 2010 and will involve running a camp for small children at a Spiritan Mission in San Juan de La Ma guana at the Spiritan Mission there as well as learning about Dominican culture by working with the teenagers of the community.      Cost is free, although some fundraising may be required. Applications can be returned via email to dimaggi171@duq.edu or sent through campus mail to Luci-Jo Di Ma ggio, Spiritan Campus Ministry, 102 Administration Building.  For more information, please contact Luci-Jo at the email listed above. Spanish skills are not required however preference will be given to Spanish speakers.

Pittsburgh Plunge(Spring Break 2010)
The Pittsburgh Urban Plunge is an immersion experience where you will see the sights and sounds of Pittsburgh that you may not be familiar with, including the challenges of urban poverty, its impact on the local community, and the signs of hope that exist in the city. Students will volunteer and serve at local urban schools, food banks, homeless shelters and other social services as well as meet and reflect with people affected by poverty as well as those working for change. This is your chance to build bridges of understanding between Duquesne and our local neighborhoods!

For more information, contact Luci-Jo at dimaggi171@duq.edu or X1405.

Spring Break in New Orleans Recovery Effort (Spring Break 2010)

Click on the Picture to download the power point (**Large File**)

As part of one of Spiritan Campus Ministry’s cross/cultural experiences over spring break, a group of students and SCM staff spent their week helping in the recovery effort in New Orleans. 30 months after the storm has pasted the scar left by Katrina is still very real. Students spent the week gutting homes, which means taking everything out of the house until there are only the studs left. Students gutted four houses during the week, which in return helps four families take one step further to rebuilding their homes and their lives. Look for more information on the New Orleans experience to appear on SCM’s website in the near future.

“This trip has touched me in ways that words cannot describe. I do however, make sure to let those who ask about the trip know that we worked on HOMES not HOUSES. The stories of struggle, suffering, perseverance and hope that the people of New Orleans shared with us were both moving and deeply inspiring. Despite the destruction that is unfortunately still visible in neighborhoods, the city is very much alive. The city of New Orleans is beautiful and filled with such vibrant culture. I now know that Southern hospitality is a real thing and a wonderful gift!”

More information on Recovery Effort
Helpful Links:
Office of Disaster Response for the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana
www.edola.org
Catholic Charities New Orleans
www.catholiccharities-no.org
News outlet
www.nola.com

This past Spring Break Spiritan Campus Ministry led a group of 14 to Immokalee, Fl. Immokalee, where 90% of the United States tomatoes are grown during the winter months has all of the allure of nearby beaches (Naples) and beautiful Florida weather, but instead of being a vacation hotspot it consists of vast farmlands and the hardships of those who work at them. Our group worked with the community of Immokalee learning about the Coalition of Immokalee Workers and their plight for fair wages and safe working conditions, and volunteered with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Guadalupe Social Services, and Immokalee Non-Profit Housing. A huge accomplishment for the week was to work with the community to build a raised-bed garden. Also, the group was lucky to attend a press conference where famous authors, activists, and small farm owners spoke on issues of sustainability practices in the agricultural business and how farmworker rights and wages should be included in its practice (e.g. organic foods).

This cross-cultural experience provided us with the chance to see a part of the world with new eyes. Eyes conflicted by recognition of our privileges we take for granted and the hardships and lack of human rights people in America still face. It also provided background knowledge and relationships to work towards raising awareness about fair food and realizing Immokalee's effect on Pittsburgh. This experience also brought Duquesne students together that wouldn't have normally met, allowed them to bond as they faced challenges and faced harsh truths, spent a day at the beach to reflect and refresh for the rest of the semester.
Brittany Urse DU Student

Immokalee, FL(Spring Break 2010)
Spend your spring break learning about and working with the migrant workers who come to Immokalee, Florida to harvest the crops. Space is limited. Look for applications in September 2008. View the powerpoint of the trip by clicking on the image.

Immokalee (means “My Home”). This cross-cultural experience involves many different activities and an immersion into the lives of migrant farm worker families in the agricultural hub of Immokalee Florida. Participants may go into the fields and groves to harvest fruits and vegetables with crew workers and spend time at the homes of "adopted" families. Other activities can include: learning about social service agencies, tutoring in daycare centers, helping at the overnight homeless shelters, working at construction sites with Habitat for Humanity, and many other options. Students will listen to the stories of farm workers and organizations that assist them with advocacy in immigration, housing, material assistance, education and health care. The week also consists of prayer, journaling and reflection each day. There will also be time to relax and go to the beautiful beaches of Fort Myers and Naples.

Appalachian Experience (Spring break 2010)
This year Spiritan Campus Ministry will be sponsoring the annual Appalachian Experience in Mullens , WV ! This cross-cultural mission trip allows students to learn about the current situation in the Southern Coalfields region of West Virginia by interacting with the community in many ways. Students will have the opportunity to do home repair for families living in poor conditions (no construction experience needed!), work in a local day care, help out at a food bank, run a game night at a home for mentally challenged adults, and serve breakfast to the worshiping community at a local church. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to see another culture that’s nearly in our back yard!