We are in the middle of what might come to be remembered as one of the most turbulent times in Dartmouth history, one of diverging student interests, and a widening gap between those associated with one group or another. But over spring break, Dartmouth students representing a wide variety of campus affiliations had one thing in common, a service-oriented experience. Two of the most publicized spring break trips were the Jacksonville trip and the Jamaica immersion program. We were lucky enough to go on the Aquinas House-sponsored trip to Brooklyn.
It all started on St. Patty's day, March 17, 1999. A group that would eventually total 12 Dartmouth freshmen, sophomores, a junior, and a graduate student descended from the Big Green to Saint Michael's friary in East New York, Brooklyn, Father Brendan's gig prior to Aquinas House. We were greeted by a welcoming group of Franciscan friars, eager to share their living space with us for the week and a half we were scheduled to stay. The friary would play host to intense games of Euchre and Family Business, while at the same time allow for any of us to slip away unnoticed for some private reflection and prayer in the chapel. We couldn't have asked for a better place to serve as base for our service in East New York.
As inviting as it was we couldn't ignore the key-operated roll down gates and high walls topped with barbed wire protecting St. Mike's from the streets. East New York was not a neighborhood we were accustomed to, so Father Brendan gave us a quick lecture on which streets not to walk on. Though the neighborhood might be rundown by Hanover standards, it has made a significant comeback in recent years, in part because of the parish's effort in the Nehemiah Project, in which empty lots and rented apartments are turned into single-family houses available at cost. Increased home ownership has led to a greater sense of pride, and consequently reduced crime and better maintained streets. This is where we would be spending our time and efforts over ten days.
The focus of our trip was on service to the community into which we were immersed. The 12 of us were divided into three different placements. Two went to St. Michael's parish school, helping as teachers' aides in the second and third grades. Some worked with a program helping senior citizens in the area. The rest, including us, worked at a Kitchen in the nearby Brownsville neighborhood, serving, cooking, giving out food pantries, and receiving shipments.
We can speak for only ourselves at this point regarding what we gained from our service experience because it's such a personal thing, but maybe between the two of us our thoughts will allow you to get a picture of what went on and why we're writing this. We see three areas in which we personally gained. Educationally, it was a chance to leave the sheltered Dartmouth life we've grown accustomed to, and put a face on the statistics and stories we hear, see on the news, and read about in the Times. Socially, it was a great chance to meet other AQers with goals similar to ours, and get to know better the few we had known prior to the trip. We had fun in our free time, seeing the city, eating well at the homes of a few parishioners and with Monika Christianson '89, and her family, relaxing at St. Michael's, and having crazy conversations over dinner at the friary.
But perhaps most important was spiritual growth. Living at a rural, Ivy League college, it is easy to become "book smart and life dumb." Jesus led a life of service and in our eyes, breaking from our everyday vocations as Dartmouth students and serving others brings about a fundamental connection to the roots of our faith. Interacting with the soup kitchen's staff and those eating there was also positive, and by doing so, we saw Christ in the people of this unlikely establishment. Daily group reflections were a way of focusing our thoughts on why we came on the trip and what our goals were while our own private prayer furthered these ideas and allowed for an intense concentration on the things that get away so easily in daily Dartmouth life.
We also left the trip and returned to Hanover with a renewed commitment to what is important up here, and felt invigorated and excited to be back on campus. It's really amazing how time spent serving others revitalized our mind and spirit and prepared us for returning to school.
Possibly the best thing about service as a Dartmouth student is that it is so easy to get involved in. AQ will be making the Brooklyn spring break trip an annual event, and they also offer ongoing volunteer jobs in various forms. This is just one organization. The Tucker Foundation offers a vast number of opportunities for volunteer work to suit any interest, as do CFS organizations, cultural or religious groups, and various other interest groups on campus. We hope this short account may have shed some light on what went on, and possibly inspired you to look into the myriad of opportunities available for you here at Dartmouth.
