CATALYST - BE THE CHANGE

Service-Learning Trips 2010

March 27 - April 3, 2010

Applications Due to the OSLV by October 29, 2009

 

What is service-learning:

Service-learning is learning to participate and contribute in community. 

 

What is a Catalyst Service-Learning Trip?

Our mission of Catalyst is to use service-learning to investigate questions of justice and community. These trips are designed to provide you with an opportunity to learn and do service over spring break.  The trips are open to all currently enrolled undergraduate CLA students of Hamline University. Each trip is co-led by a student leader and a staff resource person.  Trips are organized through the OSLV, the Office of Service-Learning and Volunteerism, a program of the Wesley Center. 

This is the tenth year of this student-initiated program.  Student leaders and OSLV are excited for Catalyst and we thank you for your interest in service-learning.

 

Where are we going? 

OSLV surveyed first year students and HUSC, your student government, last year to find out what places and topics are of interest to students.  Here are the 2010 sites and topics:

  • Chicago - Community Arts in Chicago
  • New Orleans, Louisiana – Rebuild New Orleans post Katrina
  • Washington D.C. – Homelessness, Service, Education, and Advocacy
  • White Earth Land Recovery Project, Minnesota – Environmental, Food Justice, and Sustainable Communities

Catalyst Trip Information Overview

Chicago - Community Arts Community art means learning with, and from, arts organizations that include a focus on social justice. Chicago artists from many media work with neighborhoods, community groups to teach and empower people.  Student leaders and staff will lead community arts adventures in the Midway and Minneapolis as a way of preparing for Chicago.  We’ll stay at a neighborhood church and have plenty of opportunities to enjoy Chicago.
New Orleans - Rebuilding Post Katrina rebuilding the community efforts include dry walling, painting, siding, landscaping, and other important efforts.  The group will stay at a Hands On New Orleans church site.  Students will learn about the effects of the hurricane on New Orleans as well as the continual community organizing related to social justice. If student interest warrants, there will be two groups going to New Orleans for 2010.
Washington DC - Homelessness Homelessness is a persistent social problem that can be solved through political advocacy informed by education and service.  This group will stay at the Steinbrucker Center, close to the White House; work at N Street Shelter, a women’s shelter; visit elected officials; and enjoy D.C. Students will prepare by learning about homelessness in MN by group service-learning experiences in the Twin Cities.
White Earth Land Recovery Project - Environmental Justice You work with White Earth Land Recovery Project an Ojibwe community organization in northern MN.   Maple syrup tapping is the work, if the weather permits.  Plus, you meet with elders, work with youth, learn about treaty rights, sustainable communities, the slow food movement, and enjoy Winona LaDuke and other activists.

 

 General Information

The student fee for Catalyst trips to Chicago, New Orleans, and Washington cost $250.  The fee for CSI White Earth is $175.  Scholarships are available.

ALL Catalyst students must attend an orientation dinner on Nov. 9 and the Learn To Serve orientation session Tuesday, February 3, 2010.

Lastly, students are expected to assist with fund raising efforts such as the International Dodgeball Tournament, December 6, 2009, and the V-Day Cup Cake Sale.

 

Community Service-Learning Investigation: 

A Key To Service-Learning is Reflection

Reflection includes our Catalyst Questions and Goals.  Our mission for the trips is to investigate questions of justice and community.  Here are some questions that we hope you start to find answers to on the trip:

Catalyst Questions:

  • Who am I in context of community?
  • How do I take personal and collective action for justice?
  • How do I challenge stereotypes and assumptions?
  • What are we giving?
  • How do I enter into a community that is new to me?
  • How do I participate in community?
  • How do I bring the justice work home?
  • How can I open myself to urgent injustice and stay compassionate?
  • Which issues are you in for the long haul and which are you able to lend a hand?
  • How are justice issues interrelated? How am I supposed to focus my energy when the web of issues is so tangled?
  • How do I balance a one-time service trip with my daily life when I return home?
  • What balance of service and learning works for me?
  • How do I accept or offer hospitality?

Catalyst Goals: 

  • To help you to learn more about yourself within a service learning setting.
  • Recognize values, flexibility and ability to work well in new situations.
  • Learn useful organizational skills.
  • Become more conscientious when dealing with diversity
  • Increase the development of citizenship skills so that students make a difference in the local, state, national, and world communities.

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