Service Learning

La Salle’s immersion trip program is one of our school’s strengths as students follow the example of Jesus when he reached out to the poor and marginalized in His society. Participating in an immersion trip offers the opportunity to get to know fellow classmates and teachers in a new context and also provides a unique way to serve and learn outside of our own campus community. The impact of these trips can be seen in the enthusiasm and dedication of the many students, faculty and staff who participate in them and then return with renewed hope and dedication in constructing a more just and equitable world.

The immersion program instills five values of faith, community, service learning, social justice, and simplicity.

Immersion Opportunities include: 

Blackfeet Immersion

Blackfeet Native American Reservation and De La Salle Blackfeet School

Browning is located in one of the poorest counties in the US, with per capita income on the reservation less than $12,000.  There are few facilities for youth, and little opportunity for them to engage in positive social activities.  The reservation has one of the highest high school dropout rates of the reservations in Montana.  Nevertheless, the Blackfeet are determined to create a better future, one that marries the best of both worlds, a future that can recreate the prosperity and harmony of their community in days gone by.

Participants will work with kids at the De La Salle Blackfeet School and spend time with De La Salle Christian Brothers and their volunteers learning about the Blackfeet culture and Catholic Social Teaching.

This trip will give participants an opportunity to be immersed in this culture and learn about ways in which poverty affects this community as well as to learn about the commitment of this community in offering a faith based education to children and the commitment of the Christian Brothers and the teachers of the school.

Highlights include working in the classrooms with the kids and teachers, a possible visit to Glacier National Park (weather permitting), experiencing the hospitality of Brother Paul, Brother Ray and their volunteers at the Holy Family Mission outside of Browning. Participants will also engage in evening reflections and prayers throughout the experience and hear speakers from the Blackfeet community talk about their challenges and the uniqueness of their culture.

Students will travel to Montana by Amtrak train. There is space for 12 juniors and seniors on this immersion.

L'Arche Immersion

L'Arche community homes: Tacoma, Washington

Students will travel to Tacoma and work with the L’Arche community there. Those in the L’Arche home live with and without developmental disabilities and share life in community belonging to an international organization. Mutual relationships and trust in God are at the heart of their experience. They celebrate the unique value of every person and recognize our need for one another.

While in Tacoma, the group may help on L’Arche’s farm and in their workshops. We will work together to help the community prepare for their annual Harvestfest. Our group will stay to help run Harvestfest on the first Saturday in October. We will spend time getting to know the L’Arche community, learning about the unique gifts we all have to offer, and examine Catholic Social teaching concerning those with disabilities. This experience will provide students with the special opportunity to learn more about themselves and those in our world who have developmental delays.

Students will travel to Tacoma on a La Salle bus. There is space for 10 sophomores, juniors, and seniors on this trip.

Over the years, La Salle has partnered with our amazing neighborhood school, Lot Whitcomb Elementary, many ways. We have shared food, school supplies, and Christmas presents, while they have helped us further understand our commitment to the important DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging) work.

During these trying times, those working hard to make ends meet are being hit the hardest. As Lasallians, we are dedicated to our principle of social justice with an emphasis on solidarity -- walking alongside those who are most in need. It is our responsibility to build relationships, grow in empathy, and help where we can.

This year, we will supply weekly food sacks to 85 Lot Whitcomb students. When asked what they most need, families listed fresh fruits and vegetables plus granola bars, fruit snacks, applesauce cups, and other snacks for children. So that is what we will provide!

Your La Salle student will be assigned 3-5 weeks throughout the year to provide these donations and then will gather and pack these sacks for the Lot Whitcomb students. La Salle students are encouraged to decorate the sacks, write personalized notes, and pray for the families by name.

La Salle Prep provides a variety of opportunities for our students to serve at local agencies. Through serving locally, students learn about issues that affect our own community and ways to help. Students are able to respond to the immediate needs of others through after school service trips and short weekend outings. The students at La Salle serve a variety of locations throughout the Portland Metro area. The agencies we serve, along with a description, can be found below. The outings are open to all La Salle students, unless otherwise noted.

Blanchet House

(www.blanchethouse.org)

Blanchet House of Hospitality has been serving Portland since 1952. It has been located at the corner of NW 4th and Glisan since it began. Blanchet provides food, clothing and shelter to those in need in our community. Over the fifty-seven year period, Blanchet has served over 14 million meals to the hungry. Generally, meals are served three times per day, six days a week. Blanchet House is able to offer food and shelter to Portland’s homeless community at no cost to our guests whatsoever. We would not be able to do this without your help! Blanchet House depends to a great extent on the generosity of individual volunteers and groups. Volunteers will help serve dinner, wash dishes, and visit with guests.

St. Andre Bessette Catholic Church
(http://www.saintandrechurch.org)

(Formerly the Downtown Chapel)

"Finding God in the Poor"

• A full-day immersion experience for juniors and seniors
• Students are immersed in the Old Town and Downtown Chapel communities, engaging in relationships with many people experiencing a variety of circumstances.
• Downtown Chapel Connects is about making connections - between faith and service, between people and people, and between God and the poor.
• Students are challenged to respond to poverty and diversity with love, rather than fear. They are asked to see the living person of Christ in each person who walks through our doors.

Inspired by the Catholic Church's "preferential option for the poor," the Office of Faith, Service, and Community coordinates giving drives throughout the year that assist underserved members of our larger community.

Through programs like the Montana fundraiser, One Day, One Drive-One Drive, the Christmas Drive, the Dorenbecher Drive for Five and the Africa Fundraiser, the La Salle Prep community directly impacts the lives of thousands of marginalized people in the greater Portland area, as well as around the world.

These programs are complemented by social justice education to empower students to continue making a difference in the lives of others.