H.O.P.E. Plans 2024-2025

In 2024-2025 we are planning 8 domestic trips and 2 International trips! We would love to have you join us! Below is some information that will help you decide if H.O.P.E. might be a good fit for you!

H.O.P.E. is not just a one-week experience, it is a year-long program!

Why participate in H.O.P.E.?

Throughout the year you will...

• Form community with other students
• Learn about the culture, history, and issues of social justice of the host community
• Learn about your own sense of identity and understand broad social justice concepts and ideas
• Make a positive impact in the communities where you serve
• Discover a new sense of community, which crosses the borders of race, culture, land, and language.
• Find personal transformation through reflection, self-awareness, and cross-cultural experiences.
• Continue to pursue justice, educate others, and advocate for marginalized communities after your immersion.

Commitment

Because of the nature of the experience, we ask that you think seriously about the commitment you will be making, and that you accept the responsibilities that it demands. When you submit your application, you do so with the understanding of the following expectations:

Expectations

• Presence at Orientation Session in October 2024
• Presence and full participation in weekly group meetings to prepare for Service Immersion (Wednesday nights 6:30pm-8:00pm)
• Active group and personal fundraising
• Full participation in the service immersion experience and the reflection sessions
• Full participation in the Re-Entry Program in the spring semester

Application & Selection Process

• Early applications will be accepted from April 17^th- May 1^st.  Those who are accepted into the program will receive $25 off of the deposit and priority trip placement.  If selected you will be notified in late May and a non-refundable deposit will be collected in June 2024. 
• This program is highly competitive, so you must thoroughly express your commitment through the application.
• Regular Applications will be open from September 6th-Friday September 27th. Approximately two weeks after applications are closed you will be notified if you have been chosen to participate in the program and will be assigned to a particular trip location. You will have an opportunity to rank your areas of interest on your application form. Please understand we do our best to place you in an interest area of your choosing, but there is no guarantee that you will be placed in your top choice.
• If selected, you will be notified in early October and asked to confirm participation a week later by submitting all forms and a non-refundable deposit of $200 for domestic trips and $300 for international trips.

What Can Be Triggering through H.O.P.E.?

When thinking of applying for H.O.P.E., please remember the following scenarios are possible:

• Driving upwards of 14 hours to location (split over two days)
• Sharing small space with entire delegation
• Experiencing rural or urban poverty
• Limited access to showering and/or normal comforts of home or dorm life
• Restricted communication with support networks
• Possible homestay within a different cultural context
• Testimony from people who have been through trauma
• Learning about privilege and oppression
• Not controlling food options (allergies, sensitivities and concerns must be expressed before the trip)
• Uncontrollable travel delays or changes
• Learning about justice issues and everyday struggles of others

Be Mindful

Knowing your limits is the most important aspect of living a healthy life. If you believe these types of experiences may be too much for you right now, it is best to wait until you have further developed resiliency in coping. Speak with your therapists, family, and medical providers for honest reflection on your abilities to handle the stresses. If you are triggered on while participating beyond your comfort level, your presence could have an impact on the group dynamic and receiving community. The staff and student leaders who work with you will notify the H.O.P.E. director about possible issues that come up so you can adequately get the help you may need.

Support Throughout the Process

Student leaders are trained by counseling services to deal with stressful situations and know the signs of mental health distress. If you encounter a triggering experience, the staff or student leader will follow-up with the Service Immersion Coordinator, Colleen Schoeck. Colleen may follow-up with you directly and encourage you to get in contact with counseling services or to avail yourself of services at the college for further care and health. In some cases, the H.O.P.E. Director may go directly to the Dean of Students to set in motion a plan of care for your well-being. Your health and well-being are always of primary concern.

Payment & Fundraising

• You are responsible for payment & fundraising towards administrative cost of the program and as a way to support the community partners.
• Nonrefundable deposits of $200 for domestic trips and $300 for International trips must be paid at the time of acceptance.
• By committing to the program, you agree to participate in group fundraising before attending your trip. The group fundraising goal will be $100/person on each trip. All fundraised money will go towards supporting the community partner you are serving with during the trip! 
• If the group fundraising goal is not met, you will be responsible for paying the amount left towards the $100 per person. For this year ONLY, there is NO additional final payment for domestic trips. For International trips there will be a final payment of $500. Scholarships are available: see below. 

Scholarships

We understand that financial hardship could prohibit some students from applying to the program. If you have concerns about meeting the financial obligations of the program please reach out to cschoeck@stonehill.edu to find out about scholarship options.

Cell Phone Policy

In solidarity with the individuals we are serving and as a way of entering into intentional community with our peers and others we will meet we ask that all participants be willing to give up their cell phones for the duration of the trip.  At the start of the trip (or after arriving at the location- for those flying) cell phones will be locked away in a bag that the staff leader will hang on to thorughout the week.  Meals, reflection, group bonding, travel to and from the worksite each day, etc. should be spent connecting with the other students and leaders. The purpose of this guideline is for students to be present and in the moment thinking about the H.O.P.E. experience, instead of constantly focusing on engaging with friends and family back home. Family and friends may choose to be on a group chat with the staff leader to receive photos and updates throughout the week.  Loved ones can also check the Campus Ministry Facebook page or HOPE instagram account (@hope_stonehill.) If a student (or family) does not feel comfortable not having contact with their family (or student) for the entirety of the trip, the student SHOULD NOT apply for a H.O.P.E immersion.