Service Opportunities

Spring Break Opportunities:

Our Interfaith Spring Break in Washington, D.C. brings Vanderbilt students and staff from various faith traditions and national origins together to immerse themselves in continuous dialogue and inquiry at various centers of worship and teaching in our Nation’s capital. Contact The Office of the University Chaplain and Religious Life for more information at 615-322-2457.

More Opportunities:

Every Spring Break a group of students joined with other area volunteers (staff, faculty, etc) pack their bags and hit the road to provide service to those in need around the world. We work hard, eat well, enjoy each other’s company, make new friends, and help God’s people. We have been to such exotic places as Mexico City, Cat Island (Bahamas), Santa Rosalia, Baja California Mexico, New York City, Guatemala, Ecuador, Stafford, Texas and Spring Hill, Louisiana. To find out more about Spring Break, contact the Office of Religious Life at religiouslife@vanderbilt.edu

Spring Break in Mexico City

With an estimated population of over 30,000,000 Mexico City is one of the largest concentrations of humanity in the world.  Historically this land was claimed by Aztec tribes who built the thriving capital of their empire known as Tenochtitlan.  It was also here that in 1531 the Virgin Mary chose to appear – an event that sparked one of the greatest waves of conversion since the original evangelization efforts of the Apostles.  This mission will take place right in the heart of this complex and fascinating city, precisely at the feet of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Working with the Missionaries of Charity whose home is adjacent to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, we will work to serve the poorest of the poor.  Further, we’ll spend time working in a home for forgotten, elderly handicapped women. In a culture where family is so central to life, it is especially sad to see the loneliness in these women.  It’s an incredible opportunity to bring hope and remind the women of their innate dignity as daughters of God.  Other components of the mission will include working with abandoned street children who call Mexico City’s subway system “home.”  You can count on leaving this trip having experienced the history of Mexico, and Our Lady’s continued intersession for the Americas, and the heart of Jesus himself.

For more information, please click here.

Spring Break in Nicaragua

University Catholic will be working with Amigos for Christ on clean water projects and service to the elderly and orphaned. For more information, please click here.

Aviv Spring Break Trip

Each year Hillel organizes an international Spring Break Mission Trip.  We take 15-20 students to South America for a week of community service, interacting with the local Jewish Community, site seeing, and a day at the beach.  Past service projects have been building houses for the homeless in Uruguay, building a community center in Rio de Janiero, and repairing a Jewish Cemetery in Cuba.

This year, Hillel is head to Colombia! Students will spend time in the Colombian cities of Santa Marta and Bogota exploring it’s rich history and culture, interacting with local Colombian Jews, including Jewish university students, helping to set up a new synagogue and exploring the sensational South American beaches. For more information, please click here.

Additional Service Opportunities: