Local serves in Alabama while on break from Assumption

WORCESTER — Some students spend the winter break relaxing and preparing for the spring semester. Others chose to engage in compassionate service, sacrificing their winter break to help those in need in communities across the country and the world.

Senior Christopher Cote, of Mapleville, spent the break on one of Assumption College’s SEND Service Immersion Trips. Cote was a member of the group that traveled to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to work with tornado relief organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to understand the ongoing effort to rebuild Tuscaloosa. The students also immersed themselves in Alabama culture, visiting places like Montgomery to learn about the history of the Civil Rights Movement.

As part of the College’s Campus Ministry Office’s SEND Service Immersion Program, established in 1986, the students-accompanied by faculty, staff or alumni-directly impact communities through volunteer work. SEND participants bond with fellow peers, faculty, staff, and alumni while working side-by-side to rebuild neighborhoods, gain new cultural perspective, and engage in prayer activities that reflect on ideals rooted in the Assumptionist tradition. SEND has collaborated with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Romero Center Ministries, Catholic Charities, and Rostro de Cristo Ministry.

During winter break, five groups of students spent time in the communities of Baltimore, MD; Camden, NJ; Tuscaloosa, AL; and Duran, Ecuador. In addition to winter break, students also have the opportunity to participate in SEND trips as part of an alternative spring break in March-in which they will head to Baltimore; Georgetown, DE; Immokalee, FL; Norristown, PA; Trenton, NJ; and Washington, DC-or during the summer by volunteering in Pine Ridge, SD.

The SEND Immersion Program instills in each participant a mission to serve, which is at the core of Assumption’s foundations in the Catholic Tradition. Learn more about Assumption’s robust Campus Ministry program by visiting http://www.assumption.edu/campus-life/campus-ministry.