MISSION
Urban Plunge
In November and February, Peter Diaz took students into San Francisco to explore issues of poverty first hand. Students toured the Mission District to see the ramifications of gentrification and immigration. In November, Students worked in a community garden, spent the night at St. Teresa’s parish, made sandwiches for the people living in SRO’s (single room occupancy) on 6th Street and visited Mercy Housing Senior Community to listen to the story of a resident who was formally homeless and is now an artist practicing his craft. In February, students had the same itinerary with the exception of working with St. Peter’s Elementary students in the Mission and spent the night at Mercy SF.
St. Anthony’s Visit
Reach in, Reach out, Reach up! At Mercy, we are proud of our rich heritage that began with Catherine McAuley, foundress of the Sisters of Mercy.
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MERCY HIGH SCHOOL BURLINGAME
In October and January, sophomore religion classes visited St. Anthony’s foundation in San Francisco. Students and teachers listened to a presentation on the causes of homelessness in San Francisco, served at different sites such as helping in the dining room, also waited in line and ate lunch with homeless men and women and then listened to a presentation by someone recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
Catherine’s Center Visit
In October Service Learning Coordinator Peter Diaz accompanied 15 Mercy students to Catherine’s Center. Catherine’s Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Mercy which provides a nurturing and holistic environment for women who were formally incarcerated. Mercy provided dinner for the group and then residents and Mercy students engaged in conversation and board games.
