Urban Plunge Testimonials

“My Urban Plunge not only helped to open my eyes to the world of the poor and homeless so close to me, but also challenged me to seek solutions to these problems. Those 2 days have made a real difference in the way I look at challenges in my life and the way I view people in the world around me.”
-Steve Meehan, Political Science and Philosophy, Class of 2010
Plunge in Baltimore 2008

“A man I met at a homeless shelter in Philadelphia left me with this insight: it's taken several decades of wear to bring people to their current situation of poverty. This can mean several decades of repeated failures, economic hardship, insufficient education, poor health care, etc. We can't expect to change all of that in 2 days, or even in 2 years, but it's a start.”
- Colleen King, Political Science and Poverty Studies, Class of 2011
Plunges in Philadelphia, PA (2009) and Camden, NJ (2008)

"My Urban Plunge experience at Boston’s Haley House powerfully illustrated the struggles of homelessness, from finding a place to sleep and getting nutritious meals, to combating the negative social stigma associated with living on the street; yet in the face of all these hardships, so much optimism could be found in the Haley House community."
- Alison Keuthen, Environmental Science, Class of 2010
Plunge in Boston, MA (2008)

“The Urban Plunge Program opened my eyes to the intricate weave of the web of poverty that people in my own city were tangled in. It also immersed me in a beautiful culture I was unaware even existed, and I will be forever grateful for the enlightening experience.”
-Megan Novak, Psychology and Hesburgh Program in Public Service, Class of 2011
Plunge in Chicago (2009)

“The immersion was eye-opening and challenging, but it was truly encouraging to see so many individuals dedicated not just to serving the poor, but genuinely interested in changing the perceptions of the community and improving the quality of life. The people I met in Little Village have taught me so much - not just about urban poverty and social justice, but about myself and the type of person I aspire to be - someone who puts the needs of others first and fights for those in need.”
-Katie Santella, Political Science and Economics, Class of 2011
Plunge in Chicago (2009)