Service Immersion Trips
A service immersion trip is an opportunity for Avila students to travel, serve and be served with various organizations around the country and world. It is an opportunity for students to live out the charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, to ‘serve the dear neighbor without distinction’. Students will be accompanied by an Avila staff member or peer leader on the trips and be guided through a unique week-long service and retreat experience. Home repair, gardening, tutoring, sorting clothes, and meeting the needs of the people we serve with are among the many things students will participate in.
Immersion trips allow Avila students to learn about new cultures, communities and people we normally wouldn’t interact with in our day to day lives. It is also an opportunity to live in community with one another for the time you are away as well as interact and live with other college groups and staff members.
Join us!
Jerusalem Farm – kansas city, mo
Jerusalem Farm is a Catholic intentional community located in Kansas City, MO. Built on the four cornerstones of Prayer, Community, Service and Simplicity we strive to transform our lives and those around us through service retreat experiences, sustainable living and home repair. Students are joined with 1-3 other college groups from around the country and will be led on a four day service retreat. Service projects will involve mostly home-repair and gardening. No experience necessary.
Spots Available: 8
Estimated Cost: $150
More Info: www.jerusalemfarm.org
nazareth Farm – Center Point, WV
Nazareth Farm is a Catholic community in rural West Virginia that transforms lives through a service-retreat experience. We are devoted to living out the Gospel message through the cornerstones of community, simplicity, prayer, and service. We serve alongside our neighbors to address substandard housing by providing home repair. Students are joined with 1-3 other college groups from around the country and will be led on a week-long service retreat. Service projects will involve mostly home-repair and gardening. No experience necessary
Spots Available: 8
Estimated Cost: $200
More Info: www.nazarethfarm.org
Length of Time: Saturday-Saturday (Spring Break or May)
bethlehem Farm -talcott, WV
Bethlehem Farm is a Catholic community in Appalachia that transforms lives through service with the local community and the teaching of sustainable practices. We invite volunteers to join us in living the Gospel cornerstones of prayer, simplicity, service, and community. Students are joined with 1-3 other college groups from around the country and will be led on a week-long service retreat. Service projects will involve mostly home-repair and gardening. No experience necessary.
Spots Available: 8
Estimated Cost: $200
More Info: www.bethlehemfarm.net
Length of Time: Saturday-Saturday (Spring Break or May)
excel -okolona, MS
EXCEL is a community outreach organization providing after school education as well as multiple services, including a thrift store, local bakery, GED classes, and more. While there, students are asked to tutor elementary and high school students, as well as work in the community thrift store and other random duties. The purpose of Excel is to further education, promote community building, encourage community services and foster healthy lives.
Spots Available: 8-10
Estimated Cost: $100
Length of Trip: Sunday-Friday (Winter Break)