Immersion Programs
Students at De La Salle are offered opportunities to practice their Lasallian heritage of service and concern for the poor.
One-Day Immersion Options
Sophomore Immersion Program (SIP)
Date To Be Determined
2021-22 Sophomore Immersion Program Photo Gallery
De La Salle sophomore Religious Studies classes participate in the new revised Sophomore Immersion Program (SIP) on campus. The purpose of this retreat/service program is to provide an experience that focuses on the Lasallian core principle of Concern for the Poor and Social Justice. The retreat consists of two experiences: A poverty simulation activity and a direct service opportunity.
In the poverty simulation, led by personnel from Monument Crisis Center, students are asked to “walk in the shoes” of individuals who struggle to make ends meet and put food on their table. They were divided into “family groups” with “real-life scenarios” and must make decisions on what bills they can pay, and seek out the resources available to them as they navigate transportation issues and long lines. The simulation concluded with a small-group discussion and a large group debrief. The overall purpose is to give students knowledge and insight on the issues of poverty and food insecurity in the United States and Contra Costa County that lead them to a new understanding and “love of neighbor” and to acts of service. In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta, “knowledge can only lead to love and love to service.”
The direct service, in collaboration with Generation Alive, students prepared food packages that will be donated to Monument Crisis Center which will provide 12,000 meals to recipients in Contra Costa County.
A special thanks go out to the De La Salle baseball team, under the direction of Coach David Jeans, who volunteered their time to set up the food packing tables and take everything down, and to our senior students who served as table leads. This truly was a collaborative work of service to help those in our community who are food insecure.
Junior Service Learning Program - Faith, Service, Community (FSC)
Ven A Ver
- What is Ven A Ver?
- Ven A Ver - Salinas
- Ven A Ver - San Diego
- Remarks by Ven A Ver Participants
- Quotes from Past Participants
- Ven A Ver Photo Gallery
What is Ven A Ver?
One of the most important graduation outcomes at De La Salle High School is that we will graduate “Men of Faith who pray and integrate Gospel Values and serve others, especially the poor and marginalized.” Ven a Ver is designed to help our young men achieve this outcome by broadening their world view and lived experience, as well as deepen their faith in God, others, and themselves. This challenging opportunity to “walk in the shoes of the poor” radically changes perspectives and stereotypes, moving participants to value all people regardless of their station in life.
The mission of the Ven a Ver Immersion is Scripture based. In Micah 6:8 God makes very clear what he expects of us – “Act Justly, Love Tenderly, and Walk Humbly with your God.” In Matthew Chapter 25:31-46 Jesus tells his disciples “I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me water, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” During the Ven a Ver immersion we feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, welcome the stranger all from a place of being Just, (which means serving the common good) Loving our Neighbor, by endeavoring to understand the plight of our homeless, and migrant brothers and sisters, and being Humble in the presence of God experienced in the poor, the homeless, and the voiceless.
There is an application process that includes filling out the application (found under Ven A Ver Salinas and Ven A Ver San Diego) and being interviewed. Teachers and Deans are consulted with to evaluate the maturity and readiness of the applicants. Teachers are required to give you one full day for every day of school you miss because of the immersion to make up missed work. If you have any further questions, please contact:
(925) 288-8185
Ven A Ver - Salinas
All Ven A Ver programs are yet to be determined.
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.
Ven A Ver - San Diego
We are saddened to announce that due to ongoing COVID health and safety concerns for our host, and the agencies that we work within San Diego and Imperial Counties, the Ven a Ver San Diego Immersion scheduled for March 7-12, 2022 has been cancelled.
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.
Remarks by Ven A Ver Participants
"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."
Quotes from Past Participants
“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.”
