Service Immersions

Center for Community Engagement and Service

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.

Dominican Republic

Jan. 10-17, 2026

The service immersion in the Dominican Republic is run through the 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.

  • Participant handbook
  • Faculty companions: Dr. Zuleida Aleman-Herba and Gabrielle Kuba
  • Mercy Critical Concern: Nonviolence, women

Habitat for Humanity Spring Break

March 13-20, 2026

Join us in making a meaningful impact and give back to the community through Habitat for Humanity and local community partners. No experience is needed! Participants will be working in labor-intensive outdoor and indoor spaces, working in community meals for the Salvation Army, taking part in the St. Patrick's Day Parade Float, and preparing the Habitat for Humanity house for its incoming family.

  • Participant application *Please note, applications will be on a first come, first serve basis. If you are interested apply today! Applications will close when we've reached the capacity of 10 participants. In order to confirm your spot on the spring break immersion, participants must pay the participant fee of $200 at the time of the application.
  • Cost: $200
  • Capacity: 10 participants
  • Mercy Critical Concern: Women, Earth, and Non-violence 

Service Plunge 2.0

April 10-12, 2026

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.

  • Participant application: Coming soon
  • Cost: $35
  • Capacity: 20 participants
  • Mercy Critical Concern: Earth 

Give Kids the World Village

May 9-15, 2026

Give Kids The World Village is a 79-acre, nonprofit resort that offers weeklong, 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.