Immersion Programs

Date: December 1, 2021

An opportunity to open hearts and minds by “walking in the shoes” of the poor and doing volunteer service with non-profit organizations in the East Bay that serve the poor and marginalized. 

(New for 2021-22)

A one-day experience walking in the shoes of the poor and marginalized in San Francisco's Tenderloin District.

Junior Service Learning Program Dates for 2021-22

Feb. 8, 2022	Feb. 17, 2022	March 23, 2022
Feb. 9, 2022	March 8, 2022	March 24, 2022
Feb. 16, 2022	March 9, 2022	March 30, 2022

Ven A Ver Salinas is currently scheduled for October 13-16, 2021.

VEN A VER SALINAS IS NOW FULL. WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SALINAS.

We, at Campus Ministry, are very excited about a new program that will be part of our Salinas Immersion Experience. Our hosts at Palma School have invited us to join them in the educational outreach program they provide to inmates at Soledad State Prison. They have been doing this outreach for the past 5 years, and we are honored to be invited to join them. Mr. Mark DeMarco and Dr. Heather Alumbaugh have approved this addition to our Immersion Program.  To read a description of the program, you can click here for the letter and click here for the brochure. I encourage you to read them as you consider the application for the Salinas Immersion. If you have any other questions or concerns please feel free to contact me.

De La Salle is currently accepting applications for Ven A Ver - Salinas, and the deadline for registration is Friday, September 10, 2021.

Please note the process is very selective. Everyone that applies will be interviewed and given serious consideration. The administration and the Deans are consulted as part of the process as well as the faculty. The following personal qualities are what we are looking for in prospective candidates:

• You must be a junior or senior and be in good academic shape in all of your classes
• Strong sense of Responsibility – On time for meetings and commitment to deadlines.
• Sincerity of the applicant’s motivation and readiness – maturity.
• Background and experience of the applicant in terms of preparedness for Ven a Ver
• Openness about the role that your faith is playing in your choice to apply.
• Approval by the Dean of Students

Please Note: Your application is subject to review and approval. If accepted, the program costs $300, and you will be invoiced about 1 month before the start of the program. Financial Aid is available upon request.

     VEN A VER SALINAS IS NOW FULL.
WE ARE NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SALINAS.

Click Here to APPLY for Ven A Ver - Salinas

Ven A Ver - San Diego is scheduled for Friday, November 12, 2021. De La Salle is currently accepting applications for Ven A Ver - San Diego, and the deadline for registration is Friday, November 12, 2021.

Please note the process is very selective. Everyone that applies will be interviewed and given serious consideration. The administration and the Deans are consulted as part of the process as well as the faculty. The following personal qualities are what we are looking for in prospective candidates:

• You must be a junior or senior and be in good academic shape in all of your classes
• Strong sense of Responsibility – On time for meetings and commitment to deadlines.
• Sincerity of the applicant’s motivation and readiness – maturity.
• Background and experience of the applicant in terms of preparedness for Ven a Ver
• Openness about the role that your faith is playing in your choice to apply.
• Approval by the Dean of Students

Please Note: Your application is subject to review and approval. If accepted, the program costs $300, and you will be invoiced about 1 month before the start of the program. Financial Aid is available upon request.

Click here to APPLY for Ven A Ver - San Diego

"The one aspect of this experience that is most valuable to me is seeing the families interact with each other no matter how poor they were. Also how positive they were. They seemed really close to each other and it reminded me to work on getting closer to my family."

"The most challenging aspect of my experience was digesting everything that I’ve seen, heard, tasted, smelled.  I have really been overwhelmed by everything."

"The prime example of poverty from my experience is seeing the migrant’s house. I don’t know why this has stuck with me but the image of her house is engrained in my head. The tires as steps, the hole in the back of her house, her starving dog all made me feel mad and sad."

"God was everywhere I served. I really did see God in everyone. I felt so at home and connected to the people there. When I was walking in the streets people would just say “hi” to me. I think it was amazing how people that were so poor and had so little would be so lively."

"I am so glad I came on this trip. It really has helped me learn more about myself. I feel more open and accepting towards differences."

"It was a great and real journey!"

"Poverty is ultimately loneliness. This is caused by neglecting to see All people as individuals."

"I think God was definitely present in our service. Not only did God work through us, but we were shown the different faces of God. People were so eager to help one another, and us, when they could."

"The memorial at the cemetery was one very valuable experience. It made real the stories of people dying, and also made me realize how fortunate I am that I will never have to die for food or shelter."

"God was especially evident in the faces of the poor – this culture with the least is more jovial than our culture with the most."

"It killed me that we didn’t have enough lunches to share with the day laborers. But seeing Matt run to the grocery store to buy more lunches with his own money made clear to me the space that Ven A Ver creates in our hearts."

“Awesome. My relationship with God was pretty good and this amazing experience pushed it up a notch.”

“I see God in a whole new light through the eyes of the poor, especially migrants”

“Awesome reflections, great speakers. Got in better touch with God through all of the experiences.”

“This experience truly showed me where God hangs out… with the poor, the powerless, and the voiceless.”

“God is all around my world, more than I realize.”

“It (Venaver) changed my life – I want to come back.”

“A most incredible experience – very humbling, full of love and respect for humanity.”