• About ACE
• Academic Programs
• Outreach and Publications
  • Magnificat Schools
  • SIT Program
  • Catholic Education: A Journal of Inquiry & Practice
  • Alliance for Catholic Education Press
  • University Consortium for Catholic Education
  • Gulf Coast Service Trip
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship in Catholic Education
• Current Members
• ACE Fellowship/Alumni
• Contact Us
• Apply Now

Serve a need. Change the World. Apply to ACE Now

Gulf Coast Service Trip

ACE Gulf Coast Service Trip: Winter Break 2008

Location

ACE Schools in Biloxi, MS and New Orleans, LA

Date

January 7-13 (M-Su), 2008

Application

Available now—click HERE

Application Deadline

Friday, October 19, 2007 by midnight

ACE Staff

Liz Stowe
estowe@nd.edu
631-9774

Chris Broughton
Broughton.1@nd.edu
631-9387

Objectives of the trip

-Foster and deepen commitment to Catholic education
-Serve a need in ACE schools affected by Hurricane Katrina
-Develop relationships among participants and local community

The Alliance for Catholic Education is a two-year service program devoted to serving under-resourced Catholic schools in the South. While teaching full-time, ACE teachers also have the opportunity to work towards earning their M.Ed. from Notre Dame.

There are three pillars of the ACE program: teaching, community and spirituality. These pillars are intertwined in the ACE experience and each has a valuable role to play in the formation of an ACE teacher. ACE teachers strive to build a vibrant sense of community both in their classrooms and at home. They integrate and deepen their own spirituality by sharing their faith at their schools and in the life of their community. ACErs grow into professional educators as a result of the rigorous MEd curriculum complemented with multiple levels of ongoing, personalized support.

This service trip allows Notre Dame under-graduate students to serve in ACE schools in the Gulf Coast Region directly affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. In the Diocese of Biloxi, service will focus on Resurrection Catholic School. The building still stands, however everything was thrown out due to water damage and mold. The school is still in the process of rebuilding. They are looking for help in the process of restoring the second floor of St. Joseph’s Hall. In the Diocese of New Orleans, service will focus on Cathedral Catholic School. Cathedral was directly affected by the flooding in New Orleans. They are looking for help in restoring as well as painting.

All of the ACE schools will be in session during this trip, so ND students will be able to interact with the students of the ACE schools. ND students will also have the opportunity to talk to current ACE teachers in Biloxi and New Orleans about what their experience has meant to them. ND students will experience people from the communities affected by Hurricane Katrina and will have an opportunity to listen to their Katrina stories. The ND students will both learn about these experiences and do something in response by helping to rebuild the Gulf Coast.

Participants will stay in the Resurrection Catholic School gym. There will be opportunities for prayer, reflection, journaling and recreation throughout the week.

Application and Registration

An application is due to ace.1@nd.edu by midnight on October 19, 2007. The application is available HERE beginning on September 20, 2007. You will receive notice of your acceptance via e-mail no later than October 26, 2007. The commitments include attendance at four preparatory sessions (November 5th, November 12th, November 19th and December 10th), assigned readings, participation in the on-site meetings and activities, and one follow-up meeting on January 23, 2008.

Criteria for Participation

This service trip is open to any student in good standing at the University of Notre Dame. It is open to all classes, particularly sophomores and juniors. Candidates should possess strong leadership skills, an active faith and a commitment to service.

Fees and Expenses

The cost of the service trip is $100. This fee contributes to van rental, housing, building materials, gas, tolls, and food. If you are accepted onto the trip, and you decide not to participate before November 14, 2007, you will be billed a $40 cancellation fee. If you are accepted onto the trip, and you decide not to participate after November 14, 2007, you will be billed the full $100. (This is necessary because the program has pre-paid many of the expenses of the trip based on your acceptance onto the trip, and your acceptance may have precluded someone else from participating). Participants are responsible for their transportation to Notre Dame by January 6, 2008. Students should bring some spending money for snacks, meals, and beverages required during travel and recreational periods. Financial aid is available for students who have difficulty with the trip fee.