Villa’s Campus Ministry presents…

Urban

Challenge

2015-2016

What? A 3 day service, social justice and faith-based retreat experience where students confront issues which divide our world - poverty, race, class - in a prayerful and reflective environment. Students spent time sharing stories with the homeless, the vulnerable, persons with HIV, and those working to bring about economic justice in various local agencies.

When? Two trips are being offered: February 11-13 and April 14-16

Depart Villa at 3:00pm Thursday, Arrive back at Villa 7:30 PM Saturday Where? The Romero Center, 2907 Federal Street, Camden NJ 08105 Who? February Trip: 10 Juniors (in good academic standing) accompanied by 2 chaperones

including Ms. Stephanie Salinis, Campus Minister, and Ms. Stephanie Weaver, Junior Theology Teacher

April Trip: 10 Juniors (in good academic standing) accompanied by 2 chaperones, Ms. Stephanie Salinis, Campus Minister and Ms. Stephanie Weaver, Junior Theology Teacher

How? The cost of $150 will cover a portion of the cost of staying at the Romero Center for two

nights, meals, and transportation. Transportation will be provided with school sponsored vans.

Why? This immersion experience will directly correlate to the topic of Social Justice, which is being

covered now in the Junior Theology curriculum. Sponsored by Villa’s Campus Ministry Department, this is a unique opportunity for students to challenge themselves in an environment which promises new societal perspectives and spiritual growth.

The Romero Center is a Peace and Social Justice Education Center run through St. Joseph’s Pro-Cathedral in Camden, NJ. Our mission

is to build bridges of understanding between people of faith in urban and suburban churches through means

of service, education, community, and reflection.

http://www.romero-center.org/

After returning home from Urban Challenge in January 2015, student Dallas Livingstone said “I

immediately wanted to go back. I learned so much about myself, and more importantly I learned who I

wanted to be. Even though we were technically the ones doing the service the people I met gave me

something much greater than anything I could have ever given to them. The people of Camden taught me

true selflessness, they care so much more about helping others instead of being worried about themselves.

They may not have all of the blessings we have, but what they do have they share freely. It has taught me

immense gratitude and also showed me that the smallest gesture such as a smile can make someone's day!

This was truly one of the most amazing experiences I have had at Villa.”

Components of the Urban Challenge

Leaving Your Comfort Zone One of the key components of this program or any

immersion program is that participants have the

courage to leave their comfort zones. In doing this they

are opening themselves up to the possibility of change.

We don't change when we are comfortable (usually),

but when we are uncomfortable. So, while the

accommodations are not at all physically

uncomfortable, we do hope that participants will come

learn a certain discomfort about the way our world is

structured and then want to do something about it.

Work sites The work sites used in Urban Challenge include housing rehabilitation, work in schools and pre-schools, work at centers which provide hot meals, the South Jersey Food Bank and at other social service agencies in Camden and in nearby Philadelphia. We try to offer work sites which put participants in touch with the people of these cities as much as possible. We invite participants to enter in to the mystery of the preferential option for the poor to see what the poor have to offer. Most participants come prepared for what they will do for Camden. Typically, they are unprepared for what Camden will do for them.

Community Living One of the dimensions of this program is living in community. The living arrangements are simple. Participants sleep in rooms of 3-4. We do encourage participants to get a good night's rest because the people at the agencies are depending on their hard work and good attitudes the next day. We also encourage participants to be conservative in their shower times so we can accommodate everyone with hot water in a timely fashion. Participants are responsible for meal preparation and clean-up as part of their experience. The meals are simple.

Education Most evenings there is a speaker or an activity to educate the participants about local and global issues of injustice. We also try to put participants in touch with stories of hope in working for justice. The Gospel's call to justice and Catholic social teaching are at the basis of all our educational programs. However, our program is respectful of all religious traditions, and we have had many participants from many different faith traditions (Christian and non-Christian) participate in our programs.

Reflection and Prayer We begin each day with morning prayer. Both morning and evening prayer are prepared by the participants. Each night we meet for reflection and faith sharing. For the reflection, participants are encouraged to bring along journals. Following the quiet journaling/reflection time, we have faith sharing. The faith sharing centers around the same two questions each night: What was the gift of today and what was the challenge of

today? This allows everyone to become a part of the sharing no matter their faith tradition or even their personal struggles with a faith life or tradition. This reflection, sharing, prayer time is integral to the experience and is not optional.

If you are interested in joining us, please fill out the attached form and return it to the Campus Ministry Office by Friday, October 16th at 3:00pm.

City of Camden at a Glance Camden is the second poorest city in the country (New Jersey is the wealthiest state) 3 high schools / 3 supermarkets / 3 prisons / 3 hospitals in the city of Camden Dropout rate is 70% The average wage of someone without a high school education is $11,000 a year Only 7% of the population has a college degree or higher 50% of the population in Camden is illiterate 1 out of every 5 homes is abandoned – an 18% vacancy rate Median income of a family of four in Camden is $18,000 The unemployment rate in Camden is 3 times the national rate All of Camden is poor; poverty is not just concentrated to certain areas like in larger cities 42% of Camden’s population can be described as addicted/recovering from a chemical addiction There are 140 active drug corners with 1,000 drug dealers in the city $200 million are spent every year on drugs in Camden 1 in every 8 households reports cases of domestic violence For the last 40 years, Camden has lost 1,000 jobs a year

Urban Challenge Application Commitment and Questions

Romero Center Ministries

Urban Challenge 2015-2016

Junior Students & Families,

We will continue to offer our Urban Challenge retreat in Camden, New Jersey this school year!

This will be an experience of great growth – designed to stretch us beyond ourselves and our comfort

zones, while inviting us to examine our Catholic identity through the stories lived in the Camden

community. This form is due in the Campus Ministry Office by Friday, October 16 at 3pm with

absolutely no exceptions including absence for sickness. We have a strict policy in place because there are

many students who want to attend this trip and have to be turned away each year because there are not

enough spots. Please make sure that if you turn in your application you are completely willing to give

your whole self on this trip, that you have no reservations about going, and that you have checked your

schedule and made sure there are no possible conflicts. Important: You are expected to share your

voice, thoughts and prayers during reflection time with small and large groups. You must PARTICIPATE

in this experience, not just observe. In order to be present, cell phone use will be limited to 5 minutes after

arrival and during departure. We hope you are looking forward to this immersion trip with much

openness; we are excited to experience this with you.

May God’s Peace Be Yours,

Stephanie Salinis & Stephanie Weaver

I am able to go ______ February 11-13, ______ April 14-16

Please check those above that apply and explain your availability and preference.

I spoke with my teachers, coaches, club and activity moderators about my potential participation in UC on

________ date(s). Student initial ____________ Parent initial ____________

I fully understand the maturity needed for this experience and the limited cell phone policy.

Student Name _______________________________________ Date ______________

Student Signature ___________________________________

Parent Name ________________________________________ Date ________________

Parent Signature _____________________________________

Parents and family members are invited to a 15minute Opening Prayer Service on the Thursday of the experience in the Villa

chapel at 7:30am. Please direct all questions and concerns to Ms. Salinis ssalinis@vjmhs.org .

October 2015

Romero Center Ministries Urban Challenge 2015-2016

Junior Student & Family, We will continue to offer our Urban Challenge retreat in Camden! This will be an experience of great growth – designed to stretch us beyond ourselves and our comfort zones, while inviting us to examine our Catholic identity through the stories lived in the Camden community. Here is an overview of what to expect; please read through this closely together. The application and Romero Center contract are due in the Campus Ministry Office by October 16th at 3pm with absolutely no exceptions including absence for sickness. There are many students who want to attend this trip and have to be turned away each year because there are not enough spots. Please make sure that if you turn in your application you are completely willing to give your whole self on this trip, that you have no reservations about going, and that you have checked your schedule and made sure there are no possible conflicts. We hope you are looking forward to this immersion trip with much openness; we are excited to experience this with you. May God’s Peace Be Yours, Stephanie Salinis & Stephanie Weaver Preparation Meetings (Community Building, Faith Sharing, Logistics) Date: ***This is a mandatory meeting. We will be meeting in Ms. Weaver’s room, 130. The meeting will run from 7:15-7:45 on 2/4/16 for the February trip and 7:15-7:45am on April 7 for the April trip. Urban Challenge Thursday, February 11, 2016 through Saturday, February 13, 2016. Thursday, April 14, 2016 through Saturday, April 16, 2016. Thursday On Thursday, students will bring their duffel bags/sleeping bags to the Campus Ministry Office by 7:30am. Students will then go to the chapel for the Thursday morning prayer service at 7:45 am where they will receive a special blessing. If schedules allow, parents are welcome to join us for the 15 minute prayer service and talk with Ms. Salinis following the gathering. Upon dismissal at 2:45 pm, students will change clothes and bring their backpacks to the Campus Ministry office. We will load the vans and depart promptly at 3:00pm in order to arrive at the Romero Center by 4:00 pm. After calling home to give notice of arrival, cell phones will be collected. Saturday

On Saturday, we will return to VJM at 7:30 pm. Pick up time is 7:30 pm – your daughter will call you and let you know when we are close, in case there is traffic. Calls Home The Romero Center strongly discourages the use of cell phones to allow retreatants the space and time to be present without distraction. To limit distraction while keeping lines of communication open, the girls will phone home 2 times –upon arrival Thursday, and Saturday evening on our way home. Please keep these conversations brief- they are not in place for processing the experience. We ask that students and families share time on Saturday night to talk in depth about details and reactions. Packing

Please pack lightly. One of the values we will aim to live by is simplicity; please do not bring any more than the basics. NO iPods, expensive jewelry, unnecessary money, makeup, etc.)

Sleeping bag or twin-sized bed sheets

Towel, wash cloth

Personal toiletries (shower shoes)

Reusable water bottle to be used for weekend

$3 for a social justice activity

Work clothes: long pants, t-shirts, sweat shirts, closed toe shoes

Expectations You are expected to be a representation of Villa Joseph Marie High School at all times. You are expected to treat one another with new eyes and offer the same openness and respect to all those we meet. You are expected to contribute your thoughts and feelings in small and large group settings. The more you engage yourself and reach out in conversation, the deeper you will learn. Safety Parents, Thank you for your openness and willing response to your daughter’s desire for this experience. We certainly believe God is with us in our desire and preparation. Please be assured that the safety of our group is our main priority. Due to recent cuts in the Camden police force, we have asked to speak with the Urban Challenge staff members about this. Here is what they shared with us- An excellent standard safety system is in place. In 12 years of existence, there has never been an incident where a student’s safety has been threatened. The alarm system is on at all times. Exterior steel doors lock automatically. Our building is part of an active Catholic campus, next to a school and child development center. We are a gated community. We have long-standing relationships with all of our worksites. Students are never outside when it is dark-students are only outside of the center at worksites between the hours of 8:30 am and 2:30 pm. Camden’s chief of police stated in the Courier Post that reorganization of the department allows 92% of the police force to be on patrol. Cuts have mainly affected the administration team, not those on field. FBI is expanding their role to compensate. In any trip of any sort, there is an element of risk. Where there is deep poverty, there is need, and sometimes discomfort. Yet, discomfort cannot be mistaken for endangerment. We never take students’ security lightly, and we do everything in our power to eliminate risk. My hope is for you to feel as secure in this decision as possible. We, Ms. Salinis and Ms. Weaver, will be with your daughters at all times. We are confident in the Romero Center’s staff and expertise, and we have heard nothing but positive reactions from groups who have attended Urban Challenge. In fact, this will be the fourth year Villa has attended the Urban Challenge Retreat. We are anticipating this experience to be one of great meaning for us as a community: emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Please feel free to contact Ms. Salinis or Ms. Weaver for any reason; we welcome the opportunity to talk with you. You can reach Ms. Salinis at 215-357-8810 extension 126 or Ms. Weaver at extension 173. While in Camden, you can reach Ms. Salinis by cell phone at 267-259-3518 or Ms. Weaver by cell phone at 215-208-9514 if there is an emergency. Thank you, Stephanie Salinis & Stephanie Weaver

Urban Challenge Application 2015-2016 .Juniors only.

“To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

The Urban Challenge Program is an urban, service-learning, immersion experience rooted in the

Catholic faith tradition. Offering a point of access to the lives and stories of the people of

Camden, NJ, and its surrounding communities, the Urban Challenge Program is a unique

educational and retreat opportunity that serves mainly suburban high school and college-aged

students. (To read more: http://www.romero-center.org/ministries/urban-challenge/what-to-expect/) IMPORTANT INFORMATION: applications are due to Ms. Salinis in Campus Ministry by October 16,

2015 by 3:00pm. Mrs. Brown will make sure all students who apply are academically eligible to

attend. Once approved by Mrs. Brown, a committee of faculty and administration will review

all applications. You will be notified via email to the address listed on this application.

Name:_______________________________________________Homeroom:______ Lunch:______

Email address (that you regularly check):_____________________________________________

Please select which Urban Challenge(s) you are able to attend and state why you

cannot make the other(s). Before applying please understand if you are selected for

this retreat-immersion experience you are making a committee to attend. There will also

be a mandatory meeting the week before each trip. VJMHS will be offering 2 Urban Challenge Retreats. Here are the dates to select from:

_____February 11-13th

explanation: ________________________________________________________

_____April 14-16th explanation:__________________________________________________________

Please type and attach your responses to the following questions.

1. Please explain why you want to attend the Urban Challenge retreat-immersion trip at the

Romero Center?

2. What do you hope to gain from this experience?

3. Please describe a time when you experienced a challenging situation and how you

were able to work through this experience.

4. How do you live your faith every day and what challenges does that bring?

5. How does you faith relate to your pursuit of social justice and what is your definition of

social justice?

Once you have completed the application please sign that you understand what was stated

above.

Student Signature: ________________________________________________Date:_____________

Parent/Guardian Signature (s): ____________________________________Date:_____________

If you have questions or concerns please contact Ms. Salinis, Campus Minister in school or by

phone (215-357-8810 x. 126) or email (ssalinis@vjmhs.org) or Ms. Weaver at sweaver@vjmhs.org

or (215-357-8810 x. 176).