back to high school!

I'm finally getting settled at work at Verbum Dei High School (here on referred to as Verb).  Students are required to get a certain number of community service hours in a year, and it is my job to organize service trips and make connections with non-profits around the city.  This has been a unique experience so far because while the students certainly come from poorer families, they work mainly with the homeless, and I assume the students realize how fortunate they are even though they don't have much. 

In college guidance where I spend the other half of my day, I've come to learn of the difficulties that students face getting into college.  Many don't have internet access at home so filling out the online applications must be done at school without the aid of a parent.  Also, as many will be first generation college students, they don't have the support of a parent who knows the process.  This has definitely made me more grateful for all the help my parents have given me. 

I know that these positions will come with challenges in dealing with the kids: as with most high schools, there are drugs.  There is a strong gang presence in LA, so some aspect of these students' lives are impacted by gangs, whether it be a family member who is affiliated or who has been a victim of gang violence.  While the kids are gregarious and energetic, I always have to remind myself that their environment may be dramatically different than mine was in the days of my high school. 

Regardless of these obstacles, Verbum Dei is an impressive school which is a part of the Cristo Rey Network.  What's that you ask?  Long story short - some Jesuits went to Chicago and asked the poorer neighborhoods what they needed ---- the answer was access to prep schools at an affordable price for low-income families.  To make this work, the Jesuits worked deals with coorporations where students do a work/study program to subsidize the cost of their tuition.  Students work at companies like E&Y, Price Waterhouse, etc. in downtown for one day a week, splitting the job (so a freshman does the job on Monday, a sophomore on Tuesday, etc.).  The company gains because it is cheaper to pay the student then to hire the worker.  The student wins because he is covering the cost of his tuition, and also gaining self-confidence, learning the corporate culture and work skills, and also gets to network with those whom have college degrees.  Genius, right? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89qwAdSX9Ow

Here's a video of a 60 minutes segment that explains the school system in more detail.  Enjoy!

A few pics

This is the view from behind the Hollywood sign....  sooo many cameras and fences around the thing but still a cool view!

My first blog entry.... getting settled into JVC!

Well I've been in California for two weeks now and things have been busy as I've started my year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.  For anyone not familiar with the program, JVC pairs recent graduates with non-profit organizations around the United States.  The homeless, immigrant, urban youth, incarcerated, abused women, and gang members are just a few of the at-risk and/or distressed populations that the Jesuit Volunteers, or JV's, serve. 

While this program does seek to positively influence these lives, it is not a one-directional relationship, but instead requires that the JV's open their hearts and minds to help and growth as well.  Core to the committment of JVC are four values: simplicity, spirituality, social justice, and community.  It would be incorrect to label this year as an act of charity which implies that I have all I need but I choose to give to help the less fortunate.  Instead, this is a year where I can focus on people more than material things, on developing a more active and informed prayer life, on recognizing whom the marginalized are in society, and on living with others who form a community committed to these ideals. 

Now to the good stuff!  After a five-day training retreat on the beach near San Jose, my housemates and I drove down the Pacific Coast Highway 1 to Los Angeles.  Although the average speed was about 30mph, the views were AMAZING.  On my left were cliffs of rock and dense forests and on my right was the Pacific Ocean, with the winding road precariously plotted between the two.  This has definitely been scratched off my bucket list. 

The house where I live can best be described as cross between your favorite ecclectic campus bar and a fraternity house.  Tacky decorations are everywhere, halloween costumes keep turning up in random drawers, no plateware matches in the kitchen, and there is an abundance of sticky walls and floors as evidence from a previous shindig and/or cooking mishap.  However, after a weekend of some solid cleaning, the house is definitely clean, but still tacky (wouldn't have it any other way!). 

As mentioned earlier, I live in community with six other people and I couldn't have asked for a better group.  My roommate is Kevin, the only California native has a knack for saying funny things without knowing it.  Jackie is from Minnisoooooota, Erica and Mike (the guitar whiz!) are from Baaaaaaawwwwston, Sonia is from Rhode Island, and Naomi from North Carolina.  For my year of service, I am the Christian Service coordinator and College Guidance Assistant at an all male Jesuit prep high school in the neighborhood of Watts, Los Angeles.  I've only been at work a week so there will be plenty of updates on this in the future.

Although we've all been getting used to our agencies, there still has been plenty of time for fun.  We have already been to the Staples center, toured the Santa Monica pier, and hiked to the Hollywood sign.  There will be plenty more to do, but most important for us is figuring out a time to go the Price is Right!

This year has already been so busy and exciting, so I hope this blog gives you a chance to know what I am experiencing.  Lastly, I just wanted to express my appreciation to everyone who has been so supportive and excited for me as I begin this year!