This past summer, a group of inspired Seattle Prep Students spent their break immersing themselves in service and committing themselves to justice. Seattle Prep organized two summer immersion trips, Education Across Borders in the Dominican Republic and the Seattle Plunge Immersion. During these experiences, students volunteered to partner with the marginalized, participate in solutions, and develop a greater understanding of social issues around the local and global community.
During the Education Across Borders Trip, students resided in a homestay in the mountainous regions of the Dominican Republic for twelve nights. Student volunteers participated in projects such as building latrines, setting the foundation for buildings, or making repairs. However, the immersion trip went beyond acts of physical labor. Christian Service Director Sarah Miller explained, “Students help with community development projects… but a lot of what you’re doing during the homestay is immersive encounter. Building relationships and building solidarity.”
The trip focused on service and learning about extreme poverty, access to education, and public health issues that many Seattle students may have never been exposed to before. Miller added, “Their mission is to work in partnership with the communities, so it’s not to go and tell them what their community needs but to co-create long-lasting solutions.”
Student Volunteer Mia Lee ’25 described her appreciation for the relationships she built and their long-lasting impact on her. The experience brought joy into her life, along with an increased awareness and empathy. She added, “However, it makes me sad because the Dominican community in Franco Bido and the Haitian refugee community in Batey Libertad have limited resources… Coming back to Seattle, I left disconnected and privileged.”
Lee emphasized how she does not view the community as helpless but as a strong group of people who “deserve to have basic needs met that are hard to access in the Dominican Republic.” She plans to continue their connections despite the distance by donating and raising awareness.
Lee recounted her involvement in social justice and how the trip to the Dominican Republic nurtured her passion. She compared her experiences attending social justice conferences and how her experience on the immersion trip went beyond discussion, “It felt like I was learning from a distance… This was exactly what had been missing in my journey to learn more about social justice around the world. It was a hands-on experience that would challenge me.”
The Seattle Plunge was a four-day experience where ten students developed a deeper understanding of the issue of homelessness in the local Seattle community and performed acts of service. Students visited and heard from various organizations, including Francis House, Operation Sack Lunch, a Tiny Home community, Mary’s Place, an Urban Farm, and Immanuel Christian Services. Guest speakers, including Councilwoman Joy Hollingsworth (Seattle Prep Class of ’02), social workers, and members from Compass Housing Alliance, Plymouth Housing, and the Josephinum, volunteered to share with the students to deepen their awareness of homelessness.
Lillian Martin ’26 emphasized the plunge’s impact, saying, “The plunge reminded me that these people are often forgotten by our greater community. Homelessness is a housing problem, and it is important to dedicate resources to make our city’s housing options accessible to everyone.”
Inspired by her experiences, Martin stated, “Whether it was offering food, services, or homes, these people have dedicated their lives to helping others. It was truly inspiring to have the opportunity to meet the leaders of these organizations, and it was a reminder that the problem can only be fixed with specific help to address all aspects of the issue.”
As Jesuits, people are called to service, understanding, and justice. Miller vibrantly described, “Service Immersions are these condensed opportunities to get outside of your routine and step into an issue, see it from all perspectives, and gain this tapestry of understanding.”
