Visiting a homeless encampment along the Guadalupe River and sharing a meal with residents at a shelter was an eye-opening experience for seven students at Bellarmine College Preparatory, as it was meant to be.
“Bellarmine’s Urban Plunge Immersion is based on the belief that to truly understand an issue, one must experience it by being in relationship with those whose lives are most touched by it,” says Anne Maloney, assistant director of the school’s Christian Service Program.
“The program focuses specifically on improving the participants’ understanding of homelessness in all of its complexities.”
Senior Bradley Afroilan; juniors Joe Sanfilippo, Nick Diaz, Nick Russo, Michael Kim and Marshall Seid; and sophomore Eion Bonner participated in the weekend event.
In addition to meeting with nonprofit agencies InnVision, EHC LifeBuilders and CityTeam Ministries, as well as the city of San Jose Housing Department, the students served food to and shared a meal with shelter residents.
Maloney and fellow faculty member Baron Cannon accompanied the students.
The Urban Plunge is a component of Bellarmine’s extensive immersion program, which provides unique learning experiences in other countries, including Mexico, El Salvador, Taiwan, India, Guatemala and South America.
