Service Immersions
Service immersions offer a unique opportunity for students to volunteer, experience a new culture, build community and reflect on their service experiences. The Center for Community Engagement and Service invites all students to live the mission of Salve through these programs.
Service Plunge
Sept. 2-4, 2026
Service Plunge provides first-year students with an introduction to service through direct and indirect experiences. Participants learn the importance of service, social justice and civic engagement. They also meet community needs, identify and build upon community assets, and share their experiences with the campus community. Selected students will move to campus early and meet new friends through this annual Salve experience. This fall will be the 15th annual Service Plunge.
- Participant application (application deadline: June 30 at noon)
Dominican Republic
Jan. 10-17, 2027
The service immersion in the Dominican Republic is run through Mustard Seed Communities, an organization that works with the local Catholic church to serve the needs of abandoned or orphaned children with mental and physical disabilities. Participants will serve at Hogar Immanuel, which is home to almost 50 children and young adults with disabilities. Mustard Seed's highly developed program for volunteers is based on meaningful interaction with the children, tangible work projects and participation in an inclusive Christian community.
- Estimated cost: $2,000
- Capacity: 10 participants
- Faculty companions: Zuleida Aleman-Herba and Gabriella Kuba
- Mercy Critical Concern: Nonviolence, women
Spring Break Service Immersion
March 6-13, 2027
Service Plunge 2.0
April 2027
Service Plunge 2.0 provides all students with a challenging and fun opportunity to lead and learn through direct and indirect service. Participants have the option to focus on environmental or hunger issues.
- Capacity: 20 participants
- Mercy Critical Concern: Earth
Give Kids the World Village
May 7-14, 2027
Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre, nonprofit resort that offers week-long, cost-free vacations to children with life-threatening illnesses and their families. The village provides accommodations in fully-furnished villas, transportation, tickets to theme parks, meals, daily entertainment and much more. The village depends on volunteers, known as angels, to fill hundreds of shifts every day.
Each year, 27,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. The goal of Give Kids The World Village is to provide everything these families need to make their trip the vacation of a lifetime. Since 1986, more than 150,000 children and families have had their dreams come true at the village.
- Estimated cost: $850-$1,200
- Capacity: 10 participants
- Faculty companion: Jenna Ribeiro
- Mercy Critical Concern: Women