St Ignatius College Prepatory - Ignatian Yearbook (San Francisco, CA)

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Root of the Problem On immersion, much of our time was spent gardening and weeding in a community garden and on a local farm in Tacoma, Washington. We helped make a part of Tacoma a more welcoming and beautiful place for those in the community who give so much to others. We also learned to appreciate physical laborers when we worked on a farm. Our experiences in Tacoma and the people we met showed us how you must get to the root of the problem in order to act justly. We worked in dining rooms, a senior center, a community garden, on the L'Arche farm, and at a youth center. We bonded with the Tacoma community and formed strong relationships within our group. - Mario Studley 1. The Tacoma Group take a group shot at the Puget Sound. 2. Tacoma Group on the L'Arche Farm 3. The gang model in Seatlle. 4. Allen Chiu ad Jake Koch prepare to do some handy work. 5. Joanna Saribalis makes a new friend in Tacoma. 6. Erin Murphy. Jake Koch. Danielle Borja and Jessica Meredith work at the Nativity House. 7. Naj Fawal and Danielle Borja show off the 1000 project crane. 26 Tacoma Immersion

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Understanding Community Our immersion experience was challenging to say the least. The 8 of us left behind cell phones, ipods, junk food, and beds for two weeks in order to fully understand the communities we lived it. We were forced to try new things and 'body surf through the two weeks. In Boyle Heights, we were confronted with a community defined and destroyed by the presence of gangs. However, we also witnessed a community that came together in crisis to protect their children from a common evil. By working at the Dolores Mission School, participating in Aztec dancing, and eating pupusas we experienced the community of Boyle Heights. In our second week in West Hollywood, we saw firsthand the unequal and unjust distribution of wealth in one of the country's richest cities. Two blocks from the Kodak Theater, we worked and lived at the Blessed Sacrament social services organization. There we cooked, cleaned, organized, and socialized with homeless people who come there to get some food, take a shower, and find some new clothes. Though we gave up a lot when we went on the East LA Immersion, all 8 of us gained much more in our time in Boyle Heights and West Hollywood. -Kristen Harris 1. Kristen Harris showing off her Homeboy Industries. 2. Julia Anaya and Christina Vlahos looking fierce. 3. John O'Malley and Dolores Mission Students smiling for the camera. 4. East LA group at Homeboy Industries. 5. John O'Malley. Christina Vlahos, Claire Collins. David Pating preparing to cook a fabulous meal. East LA Immersion 25

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1. Ciara Dineen helps construct part of the house. 2. Kayla Caturay and Ciara Dineen mud part of the house. 3. The group supports another young victim of Hunican Katrina. 4. The New Orleans group goes out for ice cream with the Growney Family. 5. Kayla Caturay, Aisling Baynes, Lily Bigalke. and Ciara Dineen are hard at work as they build a house. 6. Some members pose with a little girl from New Orleans. Rebuilding the Community New Orleans Immersion was possibly the greatest experience ever! From a rockin’ Mass to building houses, we had so many encounters that made us see life in a different light. One of the best parts of Immersion was the food; eating gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice made our trip! We had numerous fun activities and countless inspirational experiences. We came in contact with many motivational groups and people, such as RUBARB (Rusted Up Beyond All Recognition Bikes), Bethel Coloney South (a Rehab center for men), and Miss Madeline (a hospitable woman who told us her story from Hurricane Katrina). We went on a weekend retreat to take time after our first week to reflect and think about why we were there. Immersion was a great experience that showed us the meaning of simple living. Building houses, meeting different people and listening to their stories, and journaling everyday helped us realize that immersion isn't just a service trip, but a time to be with the people of New Orleans and understand how they live each and every day of their lives. This immersion trip was definitely eye-opening and made a huge difference when we returned safely back to SF. We continue to think about, raise money, and pray for for all of the groups and people we met while we were there for two weeks. New Orleans will always be kept close in our hearts. New Orleans will always be kept close in our hearts. -Aisling Baynes New Orleans Immersion 27