VENAVER (Spanish for “Come and See”) has its origins in scripture. Jesus said, “Come and you will see” John 1:39-41. This program is an immersion experience that offers Junior and Senior students, faculty, and staff opportunities to participate in faith-based experiences in local and global communities. Participants explore faith, community, service learning, social justice, and simple living in a safe environment in every VENAVER experience. Students of all faith traditions and backgrounds are invited to participate in VENAVER. Four VENAVER retreats will be offered throughout the 2023-2024 academic year. Please see below for details, and email Erin Hanshew at ehanshew@cbhs-sacramento.org with any questions.
Yakima
October 15 – 20, 2023
$500
Application due by September 22
Native Americans have faced myriad issues since being placed on reservations during Westward migration in the 1800s. In the 21st Century, Native Americans still face difficulties stemming from these earlier policies. The Yakama Reservation immersion gives students a first-hand look at life on the reservation as well as the steps Native American communities are taking to maintain their cultures, including care and conservation of their sacred lands. This immersion requires a willingness to participate in manual labor and endure uncertain weather conditions. Students may paint houses, do construction projects, or work on landscaping and wild land restoration.
Tucson, AZ
October 29 – November 3, 2023
$700
Application due by September 22
El Otro Lado, which means “the other side” is a US/Mexico border immersion program hosted by Cathedral High School. This program provides Lasallian students with the opportunity to explore the US/Mexico border and learn about the many complexities of immigration. Through this five-day immersion program students and participating staff members learn about and experience in part the hard journey our brothers and sisters that cross from “El Otro Lado” endure. In addition to informing participants of the hundreds of migrant deaths that occur, El Otro Lado allows students to interact with humanitarian aid groups, Border Patrol agents and those directly impacted by US immigration policy. This trip requires a U.S. passport.
Blackfeet, MT
February 17 – 24, 2024
$560
Application due by September 22
Native Americans often referred to as Indians, have faced a myriad of issues since being placed on reservations after Westward migration in the 1800’s. In the 21st Century, Native Americans still face difficulties stemming from those earlier conditions. The Blackfeet Reservation immersion gives students a first-hand look at life and school on the reservation as well as the steps Nations are taking to maintain their cultures, including care and conservation of their sacred lands. Participants will meet other students form the Blackfeet tribe and learn about their lifestyle. This immersion requires a willingness to participate in manual labor and endure uncertain weather conditions. Students may paint houses, do construction projects, or landscaping along with wild land restoration.
Los Angeles, CA
April 7 – 12, 2024
$400
Application due by September 22
Dolores Mission & Mission Experience
Dolores Mission—The Vision is to walk with Christ who suffers, dies, and rises with people in the Boyle Heights Community. Students will have opportunities to respond to the spiritual, educational, physical, and emotional needs of the Los Angeles community, by listening—particularly through the Christian base communities, grassroots organization, and outside agencies. Furthermore, students will experience the healing, transformation and raising of consciousness about the larger issues of justice and peace.
VENAVER Requirements:
All students can apply for VENAVER. Students must have a 2.5 GPA and submit an online application via Schoology. In-person interviews will follow. Eight to ten students will be chosen to participate with two adult moderators for each trip.
All participants must have a government-issued I.D. and their FinalForms information up to date. All accepted participants must have parental sign off as well as teacher sign off. For further information, please contact Ms. Hanshew in the LSLO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to do to participate in VENAVER?
All VENAVER experiences will have an online application process. Online applications are available here.
What do the trip fees include?
The trip fee covers food, lodging, transportation, and any program fees associated with the specific experience. If you have any other questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact Ms. Hanshew in the LSLO or email her at ehanshew@cbhs-sacramento.org.
Components of VENAVER:
Faith: Through communal prayer and reflection students will identify how the holy presence of God can be found in each other and the people they will meet.
Community: Through community living and shared learning students will exercise interdependency and joint decision making.
Service-Learning: Through direct service, students will connect their service to the social, political, and economic realities of our times, as well as actively answer the call to serve others as stewards of the Gospels.
Social Justice: Through experiencing the intense realities of life for people living on the margins, students will share their thoughts on the importance of the Gospel call to love and act justly.
Simplicity: Through living in simple accommodations, students will examine and evaluate their values as world consumers, as they become aware of the living conditions and plight of others.