Welcome to the Community Involvement Center

Urban Immersion 2001

July 18th - 22nd 2001, 14 new students and 4 student coordinators participated in the 6th Annual Urban Immersion program. Particpants traveled to Houston and stayed on campus at Brown College. During the days, participants volunteered at local non-profit organizations and the nights were filled with cultural activities that explored the great city of Houston. This year's group had a great time exploring the culture and the food Houston has to offer while learning about the serious issues that face Houstonians everyday: poverty, homelessness, and the environment. Below is a schedule of events and pictures of the projects.

The Schedule

WEDNESDAY JULY 18, 2001
1:00 Check - In
3:00 TeamBuilders
4:00 Dr. Klineberg speaks about the "Sociology of Houston"
5:00 Dinner at Bombay Sweets
6:30 Sculpture Garden
Movie Night at the Angelika Theater
Late Night: Get to Know you Games

THURSDAY JULY 19, 2001
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Volunteer at Bering Omega
12:00 Lunch @ Mai Thai
2:00 Volunteer at HIV Food Pantry
5:30 Dinner at Antone's PoBoys and Speaker from Center for AIDS
8:00 Theater Under the Stars @ Miller Outdoor Theater
10:00 Reflection

FRIDAY JULY 20, 2001
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Service & Tour at Houston Arboretum
12:00 Lunch from Droubi's and Lori Hutson from the Arboretum
3:00 Tour of SEARCH
5:30 Dinner at El Puebleto Place
7:30 Night Tour of Salvation Army Harbor Lights
10:00 Reflection

SATURDAY JULY 21, 2001
8:00 Breakfast
9:00 Tour and Volunteer at SEARCH - House of Tiny Treasures
12:30 Lunch @ Water Wall - La Sorpresa
3:00 Holocaust Museum - Speaker and Tour
5:00 Menil Collection - Museum
7:00 Dinner @ Reggae Hut - Barbara Best Children's Defense Fund
9:00 Amy's Ice Cream & Reflection

SUNDAY JULY 22, 2001
10:00 Brunch at Golden Palace with Dr. Camacho
12:30 Group Discussion and Final Reflection
2:00 Check Out & Leave

The Group

Participants: David Nowak, Dustin Stephens, Ike Akinwande, Jayce Dowell, Elizabeth Pienkos, Megan Walker, Nadia Lucas, Lesley Meinrath, Julie Maher, Jennifer Moore, Christina Salazar, Michelle Mejia, Lynn Le, Maggie Malone.
Student Coordinators: Chad Chasteen, Renee Edlund, Zarema Singson, Kimere Kimball
CIC Coordinators: Stacy Rasmussen & Shelley Errington

Food

The Group at Mai Thai Restaurant

And here is a plate of Guatamalan Food

Service

Jennifer and Kimere cleaning blinds at the SEARCH's House of Tiny Treasures.

Ike and Julie swinging at SEARCH

Working at Bering Omega House