Staff advisors on March’s SEND trips were consistently impressed with Merrimack students’ ability to learn, organize and serve abroad.
“I was blown away by how students coming from different backgrounds – from first years to seniors – on day one were having conversations about what service is, what charity looks like, how they differ,” said Justin Bowen, First Year Experience coordinator and student success coach, who was a staff advisor on the Dominican Republic SEND trip. “Overall, it was a very smooth experience.”
SEND trips are student-led opportunities where Merrimack students, faculty and staff volunteer during their winter, spring or summer break to serve and immerse themselves in communities in other states or countries. The program’s name comes from Isaiah 6:8, where the prophet Isaiah responds to God’s call by saying, “Here I Am, Send Me.”
Advisors are tasked with ensuring the safety of students on the trip, helping with logistics and moderating some of the end-of-day reflections. It is important for the staff advisors, however, to also maintain a supportive role and allow student organizers to take the lead.
“I know that these trips are very impactful for the students,” explained Fr. Daniel Madden, O.S.A., director of the Austin Scholars Formation, who went on the SEND trip to Chicago. “It opens up an awareness of service and faith. I’m lucky to play a small role and witness it.”
In each of the four trips this past spring break – the Dominican Republic, Chicago, Guatemala and South Dakota – students learned firsthand about the communities’ issues with poverty, homelessness, hunger, segregation, food resources and education.
For example, students on the Dominican Republic trip visited two schools – one public and one private – to study the similarities and differences between social and economic classes in the country. Representatives from the community organization Muñecas Negras, or “Black Dolls,” taught Merrimack students about their advocacy work empowering young dark-skinned girls against colorism.
Likewise, students in Chicago worked with different ministries to assist at various pantries, soup kitchens and schools.
“For the most part, it was an awakening to the different layers of issues that are at play within the city of Chicago,” said Fr. Dan. “The trip really challenged us to think less about finding a specific response and more about what we’re meant to do now with what we experienced.”
Keri Salanik, an area coordinator for the Office of Residence Life, was a first-time staff advisor and traveled to Guatemala.
“Service has always been important to me,” she explained. “Growing up, I was always getting volunteer hours for different things. It really helped frame my view of the world and understanding of marginalized communities. It was really cool to help a new generation of students get that experience.”
Salanik and the Guatemala group partnered with San Lucas Mission, a service group headquartered about three hours outside Guatemala City. They assisted with construction projects, distributed food donations and met with young students in the area. Merrimack also met with coffee bean farmers and learned about the importance of fair-trade coffee.
