Social Justice Immersions
What are Social Justice Immersions?
Social Justice Immersions are immersive service learning trips that can last from 3 days up to multiple weeks. Students learn about the historical and current context of critical social issues, enter into meaningful dialogue and deep reflection with each other and with community partners, and expand their ability to imagine possibilities for social change. While some immersions offer opportunities for direct service, the focus is on planting seed of understanding and hope while engaging authentically with communities affected by the social justice issues each immersion is centered on. Trips are located both close to campus and across the country, and are led by student coordinators with the support of Moreau Center staff, and each trip also brings a staff of faculty accompanier. Students who participate in immersions must commit to attending up to four preparatory seminars (depending on the time of year of your trip), fundraising (for Spring and Summer Immersions), and must commit to at least one follow-up engagement after returning from the trip. Social Justice Immersions invite students to engage the Moreau Center for Service and Justice's core core commitments of Community, Social Justice, Solidarity, and Reflection, which are rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. The immersion is more than just the trip itself! It starts with preparation and community building and ends with reflection on how students can continue putting into practice everything they've learned on immersion.
2024-25 Social Justice Immersion Opportunities
Rural Immersion
The Rural Immersion takes students to Yakima, Washington over Fall Break to talk to farmers, farm workers, community organizers, and others, in order to better understand the landscape of farming in the PNW and the lives of migrant workers.
Urban Immersion
The Urban Immersion allows students to experience issues surrounding the housing crisis, poverty, drug use, mental health, and more, right here in Portland. This immersion occurs during the end of Winter Break prior to the start of the spring semester.
Indigenous Justice Immersion
Students explore the intersection between environmental justice and indigenous rights in the Portland area.
Border Immersion
Students travel to Phoenix and Tucson, AZ to learn about human and environmental rights issues at the U.S./Mexico border.
Carceral Justice Immersion
Students will learn about criminal justice systems, with a focus on incarceration, in context. Students will be given opportunities to examine the laws and policies around policing and incarceration. Students will also be invited to consider community perspectives, restorative justice practices, and alternatives to prisons. The group will meet with and learn from a range of organization involved in both the carceral justice system and advocacy for incarcerated individuals.
