This spring break, 75 students traveled around the country through the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice to serve marginalized communities and learn about advocacy.
This spring, students in nine different groups road-tripped to places such as El Paso, Texas; Montgomery, Alabama; and Wheeling, West Virginia. Each group was assigned a different service mission and focused on various needs within these communities.
SCSJ coordinator Melia Bayliff organized a trip to Okolona, Mississippi with co-coordinator Kenya Lewis. They brought six other students and served the community by providing tutoring to GED students, working in a thrift store, doing yardwork and building furniture.
Along with physical community service work, students were challenged to learn more about the community and the history of Okolona. They learned that the city is segregated in various ways which adversely impacts the quality of life for many residents.
“Okolona is still a very segregated community with high poverty and illiteracy rates,” said Bayliff. “We attended Black churches in the community that had a major role in the civil rights movement… [and] we met with our hosts to go on tours and learn about the history of the town.”
John Oberst coordinated a service and justice trip to Minneapolis, Minnesota and brought eight other students. They worked with students at a school on the north side of the city. Many of these students had limited English language skills, so Oberst and other Creighton students worked to tutor these children. Oberst and his team also engaged with the community by learning about civil rights and other issues within the community.
Creighton students had conversations with community activists, they visited George Floyd Square, and they saw the play, Redwood. Engaging with the community in various ways allowed Oberst and others to learn about poverty, justice, civil rights and advocacy.
“We don’t see poverty and the people who live in it if you are fortunate to be born into a wealthier family so I think it is vital to see other groups of people,” said Oberst.
These trips challenge students to learn more about their world, understand systems that continue to marginalize groups and find their voices as advocates.
“A service and justice trip will undoubtedly change a piece of your world view,” reflected Bayliff. “No matter where someone comes from or the beliefs that one holds, some part of what they understood to be true, will be questioned. This is done through relationship building, storytelling, [and] hard work.”
Applications for SCSJ trips during fall break are currently open and students can find more information on the SCSJ website.
“This is a great way to have a low-cost trip, make new friends, learn more about yourself and the world around you,” said Bayliff.