Stonehill College, Easton, Massachusetts, had three week-long service immersion trips in early January.One group visited New Orleans, Louisiana, where the students assisted with hurricane relief by building and repairing homes.They also learned about the rich culture of New Orleans and specifically about the intersection of disaster relief and racial inequity. They worked with the relief group, “SBP,” and stayed with “CampHope,” a place of lodging and welcome for volunteers to stay while they serve with various disaster relief groups.
The second group traveled to Apopka, Florida, to learn about immigration rights and farm labor rights from the “HopeCommUnity Center.”They worked on local farms, received education about the immigration process in our country, and stayed in homes with immigrant families throughout their time in Apopka.
The last group traveled to Haverhill, Massachusetts, to stay with the L’Arche Boston North Community, a residential community for individuals with and without disabilities to live in an intentional community together.Throughout the week, students visited each of the four houses and shared time with the core members (folks with disabilities) and assistants (folks who live in and assist core members.) They also spent time in the community kitchen learning about the “Homemade Hummus” program and employment initiatives for people with disabilities.
The college has five more trips this semester: Arizona, West Virginia, Maine, New York, and Peru!
