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

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Nogales, a town split by a large, metal U.S.-Mexico border fence, is a center of many immigration issues. Throughout our two-week trip to this border town, we had the opportunity to not only learn about immigration, but also to get to know many migrants who have been directly affected by border issues. Upon arriving in Nogales, we took a walk along a migrant trail in the desert, and we were struck by the litter and make-shift shelters left by migrants. This set the stage for serving at the “comedor,” or soup kitchen, in Nogales, Mexico, where we heard stories of migrants who had been affected by long journeys along desert trails, similar to the migrant trail that we saw. The stories that we heard at the comedor taught us both about the border issues and about how to be present to and learn from all types of people. We'll always remember the migrant trail and the migrants we met and continue to spread the stories that we heard in Nogales. Building CouimuiCtg JPCNmo EL SASABE 1. Everyone saying goodbye on the final day at the EXPENDIO EL SASABi Comedor. 2. Samantha Schuetz and TheresJ Martin washing dishes. 3. Walking the Mexicc Desert. 4. The Nogales group getting ready tc cross the border. 5. Madrc Ingracia and the Nogales group pose for a photo. 6. Theres; Martin. Annie Dillon. Kelsey Merrigan. Samanth; Schuetz, and Ms. Shorrock at the bowling alley. 7. Alicia Martinez. Theresa Martin, and Samanth; Schuetz admiring the cactus. 8. Kelsey Merrigan Theresa Martin. Sophia Sepp. and Ms. Shorrocl enjoying the sunset. 9.The Nogales Group walk; around Sasabe. 10. Walking across the border.

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All eleven of us will agree that our two weeks in New Orleans this summer were completely life changing. Living in a marginalized community thousands of miles from the Bay Area widened our perspective on the way we see our country and the world. Every experience we had, from working on houses with Habitat for Humanity to meeting players from the Saints while visiting the Gulf Coast oil spill, was moving and inspirational. At first it seemed like adversity was everywhere we looked. During our reflection time, where we prayed, journaled and talked, our group tried so desperately hard make sense of everything we were witnessing. Together in Louisiana, we were able to recognize a strong need for social justice, something that especially resonated with us and our Jesuit identity. It was really devastating seeing the impact that Hurricane Katrina physically had on the city of New Orleans but it was equally, if not more uplifting to see that so many resilient people had come together to rebuild such a magical and vibrant city. The stories we heard, the people we met and the things we experienced will always be remembered and forever remain in our hearts. We worked hard, played hard reflected even harder. New Orleans Immersion 2010 - WHO DAT?! 1. The New Orleans Immersion Group have a day of bonding. 2. The New Orleans Immersion Group take a break during a long day of work. 3. The New Orleans Immersion Group hangs out together at the park. 4. The New Orleans Immersion Group spends a day volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. 5. Erica Yco makes friends at the Boys and Girls Club. 6. The New Orleans Immersion Group poses for a photo while walking around the neighborhoods of New Orleans 7. Kasey Cullinan shares a laugh with a friend she met while volunteering at the Boys and Girls Club. 19

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Advocacy (on, JuiUcc Why did we wake up at 5 in the morning, wait in long lines for food, and trudge across Sacramento for hours in 100 degree weather? I cannot say that I knew the answer to the question on my first day at Loaves and Fishes Homeless Survival Services. The simple answer would be solidarity or understanding how another portion of our population lives. However, our first days of Immersion were designed to actually make us feel homeless; to be freezing in the morning, blazing hot by the afternoon, tired from a lack of sleep, and uncertain of what would come of the day. The emotions and sensations we felt helped us to understand what the homeless of Sacramento need- both physically and spiritually. The experience taught us that we must be open to uncomfortable situations so that we can translate our interactions and observations into advocacy for justice. We met countless people who were willing to share their stories and views of the world, and from them we took away friendships and irreplaceable knowledge. After our days as homeless men and women, we worked in different parts of the Loaves and Fishes services including the school for children, womens' center, kitchen, and service desk. During our days working with and for others, we also had dinners by the river, played dominoes with the boys, learned to make hip-hop music and dance, and swam in Lake Natoma. We leave St. Ignatius not only with the memories of the powerful experience of solidarity, service, and advocacy, but also of the two weeks we spent together as we went from a group of individuals to a family. 1. The Sacramento Immersion Group gets together with a friend they met. 2. The Sacramento Immersion Group in front of Friendship Park. 3. Kaitlyn Hameister. Grace Buckingham. Caitlin Ng. Kelsey Krook. and Brian Yee pose for a photo. 4. Brian Ycc. Gerry Kelliher. and Ryan Spiers with their new friend. 5. Grace Buckingham. Caitlin Ng. and Brian Yee hanging out. 6. The Sacramento Immersion Group takes a walk around Friendship Park. 7. The Sacramento Immersion Group sings along in a karaoke competition. 8. The Sacramento Immersion Group takes a break and plays a game of Cranium. 21