With the first year of the Class of ’27 coming to an end, these freshmen begin to think about their sophomore service choices. The goal of sophomore service is to help students develop empathy and see other people’s circumstances and to care about them. The reason Jesuit does so many programs is not only to help them, but to also be able to spend more time with them and see how they reflect the image and likeness of God. 

Option 1: Summer Travel Programs

Domestic International Service and Justice Immersion (Jesuit Travel Programs): academic, social justice, cultural immersion, and exchange programs take Jesuit students all over the globe during the summer. These experiences provide the opportunity for our students to take learning outside of the classroom, serve the poor and marginalized, and understand more fully the diverse cultures of the world. 

The first way you can complete your required sophomore service hours is by going to Mexico for a week in July. 

All summer trips for 2024 can be found under the Topics Page on RangerNet.  Each program has a coordinator who can answer specific questions about the program, application information, etc. However, there are only two service and justice travel options for students this summer:

Guatemala: “Vivamos Mejor” (We Live Better) is a multiservice healthcare provider and community development agency located in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. Jesuit works to support the mission of their principal agency partner in improving the health and wellbeing of the Mayan population in the 35 villages served. Students reside at an organic farm which provides nutritious food, valuable training, and employment for the families. In addition to four days of rural community work in their forestry, organic farming, school support, healthcare and women’s programs, Jesuit also support the local Catholic Church through two of their non-profit agencies: San Jose Children’s AIDS Hospice and the St. Mary Nursing Home. The program provides students with the opportunity to better understand the presence of God in their lives, the call to serve, and the beauty of God’s creation.

Highlights of Guatemala:

• Work with and learn from the health and nutritional team under the direction of Dr. Carlos Flores of Vivamos Mejor.
• Facilitate classes in hygiene in local elementary schools in the surrounding villages in the Lake Atitlan and Solola region.
• Spend time with women who have taken a leadership role in the health, education, and well-being of their families through the women’s advancement initiative.
• Visit rural villages to learn about the daily challenges faced by impoverished communities, work to support the children at the San Jose HIV/AIDS orphanage, and spend time with the elders at Jesuit’s nursing home partner in Antigua, the colonial capital city.
• Participate in the “Football for All” soccer program, leading up to the international game of the year: Guatemala v USA!
• Assist the local farming experts in the care of bee hives, crops, and reforestation efforts that impact thousands of families and villages in the region.
• While living in the cabins built by Jesuit Dallas, enjoy the breathtaking grandeur of God’s creation living atop of a mountain on the edge of one of the world’s most beautiful volcanic lakes: Lake Atitlan.

Important information about Guatemala:

• Every day is structured around intentional and meaningful dialog and reflection. It is important that you are open to having conversations and willing to share your own faith experiences, insights, and challenges.
• A moderate to high level of fitness is expected of all trip participants. During Jesuit’s time in Guatemala, students will be living at a high altitude and may be walking considerable distances.
• The food is delicious, locally grown, and prepared by friends from the area in which students will serve. They will enjoy the local diet with a focus upon eggs, fruit, juices, rice, beans, chicken, and tortillas. Special dietary requests cannot be arranged except for food allergies.
• Accommodations will be dormitory-style student cabins with community bathrooms and shared spaces. Although comfortable for a good night’s sleep, it is close quarters. Expect to be flexible and to arrive with a spirit of solidarity in sharing the resources that are offered.
• Although Spanish is not required for the program, learning basic Spanish conversation skills will allow you to better enter into interactions with the community members.
• All trip participants are also required to participate in at least three pre-trip formation meetings.

Guadalajara: This innovative summer initiative is coordinated, staffed, and hosted by El Instituto de Ciencias, our Jesuit school in Guadalajara. Students who participate will enrich their Spanish, complete four service projects through Jesuit partners, explore the rich culture of Jalisco, and live with a host family, all while meeting new friends from other American Jesuit high schools who are also enrolled. Through participation in the program, students will more deeply understand and respect the linguistic, historical and cultural richness of Mexico while also exploring the interrelatedness of faith and justice. They will very intentionally focus upon developing the skills to listen with reverence and respect to the stories of those who they meet, whether on campus, at a service agency, or with their host family. The service program focuses upon visiting the lonely and serving those at the Jesuit nursing home through games, food, and companionship. Jesuit will also focus a significant amount of time working at FM4 Paso Libre Jesuit immigration center with the women and children seeking safety, food, and refuge.

Highlights of Guadalajara:

• Learn the linguistic, historical, and cultural richness of Mexico.
• Understanding the interrelatedness of faith and justice and arriving at this intersection with humble reverence and respect for the stories of those who’ve been meet, whether on campus, at a service agency, or with a host family.
• Have a complete Spanish immersion experience with a variety of classes and activities in Spanish (history, sports, visits to archeological sites, traditional restaurants and mariachi, nearby excursions to “magic towns,” and more).
• Students discover how to become contemplatives in action, recognizing the inherent link between prayer and action in their encounters with others.
• Examine the wisdom of the principles of Catholic Social Teaching through a new lens.
• Learn the skills necessary to reach beyond borders and form meaningful relationships with people from another cultural paradigm or community.
• Students translate learning into action by developing the capacity to communicate their passions and talents responsibly.
• Develop an openness to growth, spirituality, physical fitness, and intellectual competence, all through experiencing the culture, history, and beauty of Mexico.

Important information about Guadalajara:

• Spanish skills are not required; however, adequate preparation in basic Spanish conversation skills will significantly enhance your ability to understand and serve others.
• Every day is structured around intentional and meaningful dialog with your host family, members of the community, and your Jesuit brothers.
• The program’s schedule includes various Spanish activities to learn more about the cultural aspects of the Mexican culture and requires a high maturity level to stay mission-focused and on task.
• Jesuit travels in a spirit of solidarity and understanding of a new culture. Please expect to feel “out of one’s comfort zone” as you navigate various social complexities, new realities, and service within the context of another culture.
• Trip participants must also participate in at least three pre-trip formation meetings.

There are other programs over the summer, but they are full for this summer, but you can sign up for them during the Summer Travels Night which will be in December. Every student in enrolled in the course on RangerNet can go under the Groups drop-down menu and view all of the options there.

Option 2: Jesuit Service Leadership During the School Year, Warning: These Programs require a high level of responsibility and proactive behavior.

Ignatian Service Corps: this is a group of student leaders who are invited to programs across different leadership clubs with the goal of taking on a role of taking attendance or supervising the featured event. This club is for students who want to learn and be involved in any and all areas of service.

Unified Sports Teams – Variety of sports teams with players from Jesuit and the Notre Dame School of Dallas.

Brothers for Others – Special education events, dances, sports, community programs; this is sophomore leadership group dedicated to learning about, advocating for, and serving alongside individuals with various special needs, both children and adults.

24/7 – Leadership training and service at the Austin Street Center: playing bingo with those experiencing homelessness who are staying there and an opportunity to learn about their lives and any circumstances they’ve experienced.

St. Philip’s Community Initiatives on Weekends

St. Patrick’s Refugee Community Tutoring and Mentoring on Sunday Mornings

United to Learn Fellows – this group meets monthly on campus at Jesuit and monthly off campus for tutoring and training; it works with bridging socioeconomic gaps through education from sophomore, junior, and senior service groups (Mr. Perry).

Hope for Honduras Program – weekly meetings online with orphanage partners, cultural activities, 5k fundraiser on Jesuit’s campus once a year.

Option 3: Local Summer Service

Students will participate in either eight-day or one week of their summer service program:

Heroes Summer Camp (one week)

Chance’s Cafe – Sunday mornings; volunteers are needed to assist each work crew individual in his or her specific task at Chance’s such as making coffee, working the register, greeting, or serving.

Unified Sports Rocks – Sunday and Wednesday Mornings

Down Syndrome Guild Swim Camp at Jesuit (one week)

United to Learn

Brother Bill’s Soccer Camp (one week)

Parsons House Nursing Home

CC Young Nursing Home

These are all the different ways you are able to complete your service for the following school year and to serve the various communities that you may interact with. Each opportunity is different and takes a glimpse at life from the perspective of others experiencing difficulties. Jesuit students who participate in each event are greatly appreciated in the helping hands and love they provide to those who they are serving.

Stay tuned to The Roundup for more information regarding Jesuit service and leadership!