H.O.P.E. is a service immersion experience dedicated to helping Stonehill students understand the root causes of social injustices by becoming global citizens. Participants learn how to promote peace and equity by living in solidarity and serving with underserved communities. Students are empowered to create a more just and compassionate world by: educating the mind and spirit, promoting advocacy work, and taking action in the spirit of Holy Cross.
An education of the Heart and Mind is paramount in the work of a Holy Cross Education. As a result, the H.O.P.E. Service Immersion Program is working to create an increased emphasis on student leaders as educators. Since 2015, the program transitioned to one of deeper learning in addition to service and justice work. At this critical point in the country’s history, we are moving into greater education on Antiracism work both with leader formation and also student formation. Additionally, the work of belonging for all students is primary in our efforts.
While learning about social justice, our students must also do the work of learning about their own identities as to approach our receiving communities with a posture of learning and growing. This is being accomplished through ongoing formation of the student leaders with learned educators who offer diversity of perspective and culture. Seeing individuals who are scholars in their field from underrepresented backgrounds allows for a greater breadth of understanding for students from privileged identities while also offering students from underrepresented backgrounds models of leadership and achievement through which they can identify.
I couldn’t afford to go on the H.O.P.E. trip so I got a scholarship, and it greatly decreased the amount of money that I had to fundraise. Without money being donated, I would not have been able to go at all and find out that I have a passion for international service. I would not have had an experience that allowed me to use all of my skills at the same time and still make me feel fulfilled.
H.O.P.E. Service Immersion Site Visited: Passadumkeag, Maine
Social Justice Issue(s) Addressed: Indigenous Rights, Land Rights, Water Rights
What are some of the lasting impacts from your H.O.P.E. experience?
"Having never been on an immersion trip before, I sometimes felt as though I was not “doing enough” to help the community that had so graciously welcomed us. The first few days of my experience I found it difficult to drive along the reservation land and see the poverty that existed without making an effort to renovate homes or collect funds to help repair community spaces. However, the Native individuals that spoke with us constantly mentioned that they appreciated our willingness to learn about their culture and understand their ways of life. Over the course of the immersion, I came to realize that sometimes it can be more powerful to open yourself and become immersed in the community rather than swooping in and making short-term fixes without exploring, or even recognizing, the root causes of such injustice that will persist long after the immersion has ended."
H.O.P.E. Service Immersion Sites Visited: Atlanta/Alabama
Social Justice Issue(s) Addressed: Civil Rights and Racial Injustice
Why did you get involved with H.O.P.E.?
"I wanted to expand my knowledge around social justice issues, as well as experience an immersion where it may be uncomfortable, but would result in a learning stretch for my future."
What is one of your biggest takeaways from your time at Stonehill?
"I have taken away the fact that not all people are going to be like me, agree with me, or have the same goals as me in life, and that is the beauty of everybody being unique. I have learned not to judge people based on stereotypes, but rather to get to know people before forming opinions."
H.O.P.E. Service Immersion Site Visited: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Social Justice Issue(s) Addressed: Indigenous Peoples & Environmental Issues
What are some of the lasting impacts from your H.O.P.E. experience?
"I have various lasting impacts from my HOPE experience. HOPE is a program that I believe stays with you forever. It doesn’t just impact your life on campus, but transcends into all aspects of who you are. One of the things that stands out to me the most though is the community HOPE builds. Over time, you get so close with your group and create bonds between one another that are unbreakable. You learn so much about and from people who embody what it is to be Stonehill students and advocates. HOPE also fosters great communities with the people we meet on our service trips. It creates relationships that don’t end when we leave the site, but continue once we get back. This allows us to keep educating ourselves from first-hand individuals, get updates on change, and most importantly maintain meaningful relationships with life-changing people. Another lasting impact from HOPE has been learning how to be a respectful and active ally. Before HOPE, I thought being an ally was simply knowing something was unjust. However, now I know it also means taking overt action to combat injustices. It’s standing up for rights, advocating, educating, and much more. In terms of respect, I also have learned to communicate with different groups on how much I should be advocating and finding out what they would like to see from allies. Lastly, HOPE has taught me how to not feel overwhelmed with all the social injustices happening in the world. Sometimes when I think about all the problems our society is facing, I feel stressed out and overtaken by all the things we have to do to solve injustices and create peace. Sometimes it can feel impossible. However, HOPE has taught me that we can only try our best to serve others and that baby steps to change are still significant. As long as we always remember our purpose for serving, anything is possible and change can be made."
Gifts to the H.O.P.E. program help reduce program costs so that student participants can focus on the deeper purpose of the service experience.
