The Christian Service Immersion Program Continues to Reach Beyond the Bronx
For the twenty-third consecutive year, Fordham Prep’s Christian
Service Immersion Program continued its great work helping
those less fortunate well beyond the confines of our local
communities. Beginning in early June and continuing through
late August stretching over eight different trips, 143 students in
total participated in our Christian Service Immersion Program,
with trips to work with The Romero Center in Camden, NJ (for
rising sophomores), Appalachia Habitat for Humanity in Robbins,
TN (for rising juniors and seniors) and The Working Boys’ Center
in Quito, Ecuador (for rising seniors). In addition to the students,
nineteen faculty members, one faculty member’s spouse, one
faculty member’s ten-year-old son and nine alumni travelled as
leaders in the Program.
Through solicitation letters, bake sales, “gofundme.com” pages,
events at various venues among other fundraising efforts, these
students were able to raise over $230,000 from over 1,300
different donors to benefit the respective organizations with
whom we work. Several students were able to secure donations
in excess of $3,000 from fifteen or more donors, but Jack
The Romero Center in Camden, NJ
Corrigan ’18, who was part of our “Tennessee 3” group, led all
student volunteers with 41 different donors! Of particular note
this summer, Fordham Prep volunteers were responsible for the
fundraising and construction of the 24th and 25th homes we
have sponsored in rural Tennessee since our relationship with
Appalachia Habitat for Humanity began in 1999. This summer’s
fundraising efforts were bolstered by our second-annual “God’s
Hands for Humanity” event in May. Thanks to the efforts of Mr.
Fred Berrios (and many other members of the Fathers’ Club), as
well as Mrs. Cathy McCordick and Mrs. Beth McGrath, the event
raised over $15,000 to benefit those students who need
assistance paying the Program’s participation fees. The 130-plus
attendees welcomed Mrs. Haley Terry, Executive Director of
Appalachia Habitat for Humanity (and her family) to Fordham
Prep and listened to her refer to FP as a “community of angels.”
Please check out photos and videos from all of this summer’s
trips at Twitter.com/fpcsitrips. Online donations can be
submitted at fordhamprep.org/servicetrips.
Appalachia Habitat for Humanity in Robbins, TN
The Working Boys’ Center in Quito, Ecuador
Christopher Esposito ’17, has participated in all of our Christian Service Immersion
opportunities.
Camden was the first trip I went on during the summer after my freshman year. For me, the trip
was a good introduction to service. The program at the Romero Center taught me about the
problems faced by the poor and the difficulty families have trying to break the cycle of povert.
The next summer I spent a week working for Appalachia Habitat for Humanity in Tennessee. We
worked tirelessly building walls and window frames. At dinner, the new homeowner told us the
emotional story about how her family became homeless and what our work meant to them.
Finally, as a junior, I went to Ecuador. Through the Working Boy’s Center, we visited people’s
homes, used public transportation and helped a family begin the construction of their new house.
Through the Fordham Prep Christian Service Immersion Trips, I have had the opportunity to meet
people I never would have expected and to create lasting memories. I was blessed to go on all
three of Fordham Prep’s trips: Camden, Tennessee and Ecuador. The trips have been the some of the highlights of my three years here at
the Prep.
Chris, a Bedford resident, was recently named a National Merit Semi-finalist. He hopes to study economics in college and looks
forward to continuing service he experienced at Fordham Prep.
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