Saint Anselm Students Seek a Spring Break Alternative

Beginning Friday, Feb. 27, Saint Anselm College students will board vans and planes bound for sites across the United States and Central America, and will spend their spring break rehabilitating homes, working with children, and serving the elderly and the homeless.

In all, 216 students will fan out over 15 sites to perform a week of service. Locations range from Appalachia to Maine, two Indian Reservations, and Costa Rica and Honduras.

Originating in 1991 when 20 students volunteered at a community in Orland, Maine, the program is this year sponsoring the largest number of participants ever.

They will work with the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging in Costa Rica, and help inner city youth at St. Benedict Preparatory School, in Newark, N.J. They will tutor students at St. Joan of Arc School in New Orleans and The Benedictine School for Exceptional Children in Maryland. And they will serve the homeless and disadvantaged in three cities: Boston, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia

Students will learn, as well as serve. In Arizona and South Dakota, students will live on the Navajo and Pine Ridge Indian Reservations for a week of cultural immersion. Tribal delegates will offer lessons in Native American history and culture.

Each group will set aside time for group reflection, as well as to experience cultural opportunities. Prior to departure, many trips invite program alumni or faculty experts to discuss issues of history, language or economics.

Although many trips never see a tangible final product from their service, the week is about much more says Joycelin Tremblay, Campus Minister of Faith and Justice Initiatives, who manages the SBA program.

“Doing service is so much more than helping someone else,” she said. “It gives our students a better understanding of themselves, their peers, and the world around them. Our students enter into a community, offer themselves in service, build meaningful relationships, and come home with a better understanding of what it means to truly live.”

Update: Read post reflecting on Spring Break Alternative experience

Bishop's Fund Grants $5,000 to English for New Americans

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund is supporting English language instruction for immigrants and refugees in the Manchester area with a $5,000 donation to the English for New Americans program coordinated by Saint Anselm College.

Since 2003, the program has been managed by the college’s Meelia Center for Community Service, with the help of faculty, staff and student volunteers. It has familiarized 1,200 immigrants and refugees in the Manchester area with the language and culture of their new home. In the last academic year, a record 446 people attended classes, which are divided into four levels of instruction and are held at the First Congregational Church.

“Bishop McCormack and the directors of the Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund are deeply concerned about helping new people become active members of their new communities,” said Patrick F. McGee, director of planning and development for the diocese. “The English for New Americans program not only offers language classes, but it also helps new Americans understand our culture and how to adapt to life in New Hampshire.”

Dan Forbes, director of the Meelia Center, said the donation comes at a critical time for the program. Federal funding has been cut dramatically, but the need for assistance is strong and growing.

A profile completed by the Casey Institute in the spring of 2008 found that more than 4,000 refugees resettled in New Hampshire between 1997 and 2006, with about three-fourths settling in Manchester. Statistics indicate that half the 10,000 immigrants living in Manchester today have arrived since 1980. Refugees in the Granite State represent more than 30 different countries of origin.

“This is a critical need, a key to the refugee’s future,” said Forbes. “We have a clear need, a basic need to provide this service, and this generous donation will help us continue to do so.”

The Bishop’s Charitable Assistance Fund makes grants to tax-exempt organizations without regard to religious affiliation for projects that help people in New Hampshire meet their basic needs.  The fund is operated by volunteer lay men and women who serve as directors and who make recommendations to the Bishop of Manchester for grants to any organization in New Hampshire whose mission is consistent with the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  The fund raises money through solicitation of individuals, businesses and philanthropic organizations.  An annual accounting of funds raised and disbursements is available by request.

Abbey Players Celebrate 60 Years

On Saturday, Feb. 21, students joined forces with alumni on the stage and behind the scenes as the Anselmian Abbey Players celebrated 60 years on the hilltop with an alumni revue, Once a Player, Always a Player. Read more

New Fitness Center Opens

With the cut of a ribbon, the Carr Center's new fitness center opened to students, faculty and staff at 1p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9. A brief ceremony included remarks from Fr. Jonathan, as well as a blessing by Fr. Augustine. Read more