LEFT: Vancouver College students pose for a
picture at the border fence separating
Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas.
RIGHT: Eleven students and three teachers from
Vancouver College spent their Spring Break in
Brownsville, Texas learning about immigration.
Vancouver College students visited Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley to serve those seeking asylum in the United States.
This past spring break, a team of eleven Vancouver College students and three teachers had the opportunity to travel to Brownsville, Texas, one of the southernmost cities in United States. Located at the tip of Texas along the US-Mexico border, this city primarily consists of Spanish speaking immigrants, and has one of the highest poverty rates in the nation.
Over the course of our seven days in Brownsville, we served at Guadalupe Regional Middle School, helped at immigration centers, worked with a local parish and community, participated in the community garden program, and celebrated Mass.
Throughout the trip, we constantly had the opportunity to put ourselves in solidarity with the poor and to listen to their stories. By connecting with the people on a personal level, we were able to get a glimpse into their lives and the immense struggles that these people are facing everyday. It really felt like we were making an impact on their lives.
Although the trip is over, we know that there is still much work needed in this area. Our trip to Brownsville was the first step that opened our eyes to the many issues with immigration today. We are so grateful for this experience, which has widened our perspective and helped us grow emotionally and spiritually.
To learn more about the issues that those seeking asylum in Brownsville face, check CNN'S BROWNSVILLE ARTICLE