Description & Purpose

During Spring Break each year, the Holy Cross Chaplains' Office sponsors the Spring Break Immersion Program. This project is a unique opportunity for students to take part in community outreach and service projects in the Appalachian and Gulf Coast regions of the United States. The Spring Break Immersion Program has been running continuously at Holy Cross for more than 20 years, initially beginning with only one site in Kentucky.

Today, two decades later, the Spring Break Immersion Program has grown into one of the largest student outreach programs at Holy Cross. This past year, guided by student leaders, groups of Holy Cross students visited nine project sites in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. The Holy Cross Immersion Program has been visiting these communities for many years now.

Each group is guided by a student leader and the work done at the individual sites may vary. Volunteer work may include painting, staffing soup kitchens, visiting senior citizens, working with local school children, repairing homes or cleaning up hiking trails. Student volunteers stay in a diverse range of housing: volunteer fire stations, homeless shelters, local schools and church basements.

Through their week of service, students become an integral part of the local community. Whether the task is large or small, the work being done is appreciated and needed. The Spring Break Immersion Program is truly a mix of service, spirituality, friendship and community that is guaranteed to be one of the most memorable weeks of your Holy Cross experience!