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Urban Immersion 2008
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Have you ever been involved with:
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Have you ever volunteered with:
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If you answered “Yes” to either of these questions, then Urban Immersion is the perfect introduction to Rice University and the greater Houston community for you. If you answered "No" to both of them, then it is time to get involved!
What is Urban Immersion?
Urban Immersion is an intensive, service-oriented program that introduces incoming Rice students to the urban issues, social needs, and cultural diversity of Houston while having a good time meeting other students.
Imagine spending six days working intensely with a team of inspiring, thoughtful, caring individuals with whom you will be spending the rest of your college career. This is a unique opportunity that you'll never have again so don't pass it up!
As an incoming Rice student, you're becoming part of an ever-changing world that needs strong-minded and compassionate people to make a difference in the lives of others. Urban Immersion is a program that increases levels of social awareness by introducing you to the urban issues and cultural diversity of Houston while engaging in hands-on service to those in need.
Participants will be involved in direct service projects as they visit local agencies such as the Galveston Bay Foundation and DePelchin Children's Center. Each day of the program will focus on a specific area of social concern, such as homelessness, education, and the environment. This service, however, is only one part of the Urban Immersion experience.
All Community Involvement Center programs are based on three components: service, education, and reflection. In addition to their direct service, participants will also have short readings about the agencies and social issues and have opportunities to meet local experts and staff from the agencies for group discussions. Finally, evenings will be concluded with group reflections. Participants are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings with the group as a way of processing each day's events.
In keeping with the spirit of the program,
participants will live together in the communities
they serve. This year's program will be housed in
Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Houston. This
is an off-campus experience and participants will
have safe and secure, but simple, living conditions.
Meals are taken together as a group and dinners each
night will be out in Houston, sampling the ethnic
and culinary diversity of the city.
What's NEW with Urban Immersion?
- TWO sessions gives more flexibility of when you can choose to attend and doubles the number of participants! Due to the large number of applicants over the past few years, the Community Involvement Center has expanded the program to two sessions. Both sessions will be organized by 4 Student Coordinators and have 24 spaces available for new students!
- The Community Involvement Center
is proud to offer Urban Immersion FREE
OF CHARGE for
our second summer! The $100.00
deposit will be refunded to all students that
participate at the conclusion of the program. Deposits will not be refunded to students that,
after registration and acceptance into the
program, withdraw for any reason.
Why Serve?
- Texas has the 7th highest poverty rate in the U.S. (15.4%), with over 3.5 million living in poverty.
- 81% of those living in poverty ARE working.
- Every five minutes a baby is born into poverty in Texas.
- 1 in every 10 children in Texas will go to bed hungry.
- Over 125,000 children experience homelessness in the course of a year.
- This year, over 100 women will lose their lives at the hands of their partners.
- Change has been and is being made.
- Because YOU can make a difference!
Sample Service Itinerary
- Saturday:
Arrive at Rice University
Introductions and Icebreakers
- Sunday:
Hunger and Homelessness Day
Women’s Shelter, Soup Kitchen, or Health Care for the Homeless
- Monday:
Health and Medical Day
Texas Children's Hospital, AIDS Hospice, or Food Pantry
- Tuesday:
Environmental Day
Houston Arboretum, Galveston Bay Foundation, or Urban Harvest
- Wednesday:
Children and Education Day
Home for Abused Children, Literacy Projects, or YMCA
Continued Service Day
AmeriCorps, Serve Houston, or Rice Volunteer Opportunities
- Thursday:
Wrap-up and Reflection
Depart from Rice University
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2008 URBAN IMMERSION PROGRAM CLOSED
AT 5:00PM ON FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2008.
Program Registration Process
- Complete the application below by 5:00pm on Friday, June
6, 2008.
- Pay the $100.00 deposit with a debit/credit
card through the PayPal link on the application or
send a check payable to "Rice University / CIC Service
Council" to the address below. Deposits
will be refunded to participating students at the
conclusion of the program. As of June 2, 2008, it is best to use PayPal to ensure receipt of your deposit by the 5:00pm deadline on Friday, June 6, 2008.
- Registration confirmations and required forms will be e-mailed to accepted participants on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. Do not make any travel arrangements until you have received a confirmation. Enrollment is limited to 24 students for each session, so register early!
For more information, please contact Christa Leimbach by phone (713-348-6044) or e-mail (leimbach@rice.edu).
2008 Student and Staff
Coordinators
Left
to Right:
Michelle Sam
DeAngela Hayes
Darren Arquero
Marisol Alvarado
Hilary Dowdy (not pictured)
Christa Leimbach
Assistant Director, Community Involvement Center
REGISTRATION FOR THE 2008 URBAN IMMERSION PROGRAM CLOSED
AT 5:00PM ON FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 2008.
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2007
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2006
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2005
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2004
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2003
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2002
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 2001
Photos and Information from Urban Immersion 1999
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