In partnership with Resurrection Catholic Missions of the South, the University Ministry is hosting its Service Immersion trip for full-time students during the University of Detroit Mercy’s Spring break from March 1-8 in Montgomery, Ala., a pivotal location in the fight against racial inequality.
The Service Immersion trip informs students about the area’s rich history along with the civil rights movement. Additionally, students will learn about issues relating to racism and civic engagement.
University Minister for Faith Formation Anna Lawler, a contributor to the trip’s assimilation, will partake in this immersive experience again. Similar to the Service Immersion trip back in 2020, it is designed to provide students with a thorough educational experience.
“We decided to run it again to highlight the importance of having continued conversations around the issue of racism in the United States and educating our student population on the history of the civil rights movement so that we don’t lose those stories,” Lawler said. “A lot of the members of the civil rights movement are getting older and are going to pass away… we don’t want those stories to be lost.”
Participants will visit historical sites, allowing them to honor key moments in civil rights history. Once again, attendees will have the opportunity to join a historical rally crossing the Selma Bridge, commemorating the 1965 Selma-to-Montgomery march led by civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This march was a turning point in the fight for voting rights.
The trip will include visits to renowned museums such as the Civil Rights Museum, Rosa Parks Museum and the Legacy Museum, which detail the struggles of African Americans in the fight for equality.
“We will visit a couple of the churches that played important roles in being meeting spaces for where a lot of the work and conversation around movement was happening,” she said.
Two days will be devoted to community projects in part of the parish connected to Resurrection Catholic Missions. This involves hands-on service where students engage in community projects like neighborhood clean-ups and assisting a local school, connecting directly with the residents and communities that continue to feel the impact of past injustices.
The trip’s educational experiences go beyond the history of the civil rights movement. Students can gain a deeper connection to the lived experiences of those who have faced discrimination and increase awareness of the hardships of marginalized communities. At night, discussions will be held where participants will join in reflection on the day’s occurrences to connect historical events with current issues.
“I hope that students have recognition of the story of the civil rights movement and also, in particular, the whole story of Black America,” Lawler said. “Even for myself, this trip was so enlightening.”
When students return from the trip, they will likely have broadened their perspective on the significance of speaking on civil rights issues and addressing ongoing racial inequalities. The trip to Montgomery will create experiences that inspire advocacy for justice and equality.
The cost of the trip is $400, with financial aid available, and students are required to attend pre-trip meetings to prepare. If interested, students can fill out an interest form on Campus Connection.
