Serving and learning form the dual mission of a Religious Life Office Service-Learning Trip. Students work on projects that benefit communities suffering material or social disadvantages; building relationships with those they serve, students learn about the world's needs and gain vocational self-understanding. Through guided discussions and journal writing, students explore their values and social concerns, beliefs and commitments, gifts and limitations. Service teams may be hosted by churches or other faith communities; however all activities are led in ways appropriate for individuals from any faith or non-religious perspective.

Costs

Student costs listed for each trip include lodging, food, transportation, and cultural outings. The costs also include any construction fees to the service agency. Students will also be asked to pay for passport fees, visas, vaccinations and meals in the airport. Personal spending money will also be needed.

Passport

A copy of an updated passport is required at the time of application for trips outside the U.S. Applications for international trips without passport copy attached will not be considered, and the passport must be valid six months beyond travel dates.

If you are abroad or on leave in the fall semester, you will not be able to apply for the January trips. If you are abroad or on leave in the spring semester, you will be unable to apply for the summer trips.

You must be a degree-seeking student at Hendrix to apply.

Application

The 2020 Application is available HERE.

You can also pick up a hard copy in the Religious Life Suite (SLTC 133) or email mulhearn@hendrix.edu. 

Important Dates

• July 15
  Applications available online
• Sept. 16
  Applications due by 3:00 pm
• Sept. 30 - Oct. 11
  Interviews
• Oct. 16
  Notifications of acceptance
• Oct. 23
  Trip deposits due
• March 8
  Orientation for New Orleans (6-9 pm)
• April 19
  Orientation for Puerto Rico (6-9 pm)
  

2020 Trips

New Orleans, Louisiana

March 21-27, 2020

Cost: $100 per student

In the aftermath of the 2005 hurricanes, the nation viewed the great socio-economic and racial divides that existed in New Orleans. The Hendrix group will spend a week in the “Crescent City” understanding the continued needs of the community and celebrating the spirit of New Orleans. Volunteer work includes working with the NOLA Tree Organization, Second Harvest Food Bank, and Green Light New Orleans to learn about the food insecurity and environmental issues that have arisen. Opportunities will also be available to view the flood-impacted areas of New Orleans and dialogue with local people about the recovery process. The end of the week will include an evening free to explore historic places in the city. 

San Juan, Puerto Rico

May 17-23, 2020

Cost: $450 per student

After Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, local recovery efforts have been difficult without the basic necessities of safe housing, clean water, and dependable electricity. Working with Peacework, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide sustainable development for local communities, the Hendrix group will work to rebuild homes and care for pets who were stranded after the hurricane. While the trip participants will work alongside the community to rebuild, it is the hope that students, faculty, and staff will gain a greater understanding of the complexities of disaster recovery, an appreciation of the rich culture and heritage of Puerto Rico, and a deeper sense of one’s vocational journey.

Past Service-Learning Trips

• Chincha, Peru
  Summer 2001, 2002, 2003 & 2008
• Kansas City, Missouri
  Spring Break 2002
  
• Boston, Massachusetts
  Spring Break 2003 & 2006
• Arlington, Texas
  Spring Break 2003
  
• Tarpum Bay, Bahamas
  Summer 2003, 2004, Spring Break 2008 & Summer 2012
• Taize, France
  Summer 2003, 2005, 2009 & 2013
  
• Chicago, Illinois
  Spring Break 2004 & 2012
• Shiprock/Santa Fe, New Mexico
  Spring Break 2004 & 2009
  
• Quesada, Costa Rica
  Summer 2004 & Winter Break 2006
• Ekaterinburg, Russia
  Winter Break 2005
  
• San Diego, CA/Tijuana, Mexico
  Spring Break 2005 & 2010
  
• San Francisco, California
  Spring Break 2006, Winter Break 2009 & 2013
• La Paz, Bolivia
  Summer 2006 & 2010
• New York, New York
  Spring Break 2007
• Koinonia Farms, Georgia
  Summer 2007
• Bagamoyo, Tanzania
  Summer 2007
• Pascagoula, Mississippi
  Spring Break 2008
• Beverly, Kentucky
  Summer 2008, Summer 2016
• Mekong Delta, Vietnam
  Summer 2009
• Dumas, Arkansas
  Spring Break 2010
• Poland
  Summer 2010
• Cuba
  Winter Break 2011
• New Orleans, Louisiana
  Winter Break 2011
• South Africa
  Summer 2011
• Birmingham, Alabama
  Summer 2011, Summer 2017
• India
  Winter Break 2012
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  Summer 2012
• Epworth by the Sea
  Spring Break 2013
• Alaska
  Summer 2013
• Dominican Republic
  Winter Break 2014
• Seattle, Washington
  Spring Break 2014
• Kosovo
  Summer 2014
• Guatemala
  Winter Break 2015
• New Orleans
  Spring Break 2015
• Arkansas Delta
  Spring Break 2015
• Pine Ridge Reservation
  Summer 2015
• Camp CAMP (San Antonio, TX)
  Winter Break 2016
• DOOR (Hollywood CA)
  Winter Break 2016
• Miami, FL
  Summer 2016
• Bahamas
  Winter Break 2017
• Washington DC
  Summer 2017
• Ferguson, Missouri
  Winter Break, 2018
• Taizé, France
  Spring Break, 2018
• Belize City, Belize
  Summer, 2018
• New York, NY
  Summer, 2019
• Gashora, Rwanda
  Summer, 2019