Conducting Effective Immersion Visits KeyContact and Reminders Facts Observations and Reflections Community Partners About
AboutObjectives:
● Provide real-life experiential learning across barriers that divide us and put ourselves in the presence of those who are hidden from view and often ignored.
● Build bridges and provide real stories that bring more profound meaning and emphasize the importance of connecting with those whose life journey is different from our own.
● Exercise social empathy through connecting with persons experiencing poverty and vulnerability about the dynamics and processes of those who are impoverished, oppressed, discriminated against, and marginalized.
● Experience and hear the stories and issues directly from those with lived experience.
Outcomes:
● Connect directly and empathize with those persons experiencing poverty and vulnerability.
● Experience the impact of immersions, including increased awareness of the realities of marginalized people.
● Identify and enable conditions for which to apply immersion learnings both professionally and personally.
● Reflect on and capture personal and group learning from the collective experience and articulate the impact in small groups.
AboutPurpose:
To offer a real-life, face-to-face immersion experience emphasizing the importance of connecting with those persons experiencing poverty and vulnerability whose lives are different from ours.
Format:
You will be part of an immersion experience designed for you to have direct connection and conversations with those most in need and enable you to have a deeper sensitivity to those we serve.
Key Elements:
● Face-to-face encounters with people in the community
● Associate and client insights
● Reflection and report
AboutToday’s immersion allows you to be fully present and listen sincerely and respectfully to the stories of those experiencing poverty and vulnerability.
“It
is not our job to solve the problem; but to listen and understand.”
“We imagine no one standing outside of [the] circle [of compassion], moving ourselves closer to the margins so that the margins themselves will be erased.”
- Greg Boyle, S.J., founder and executive director of Homeboy Industries and author of Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion
“As long as the problems of the poor are not radically resolved…by attacking the structural causes of inequality no solution will be found for the world’s problems or, for that matter, to any problems. Inequality is the root of social inequality.”
- Pope Francis, in Evangelii Gaudium (2013)
Observation and Reflection
Reflection Questions:
● What challenges or barriers did you observe?
● What unspoken frustrations or needs did you infer from tone or context?
● What did you hear or see that surprised you?
● What systemic factors might be influencing the dynamics you heard?
● What recurring themes emerged throughout the day?
● What “bright spots” did you notice or hear about?
● What assumptions do you realize now that you had at the start of the day?
Conducting Effective Immersion Visits
Prepare:
● Review your immersion briefing book and think about what questions you may have for the hosts.
● Gain alignment with the objectives and outcomes
Manage the visit:
● Time passes quickly. Ensure you prioritize your questions.
● Ask open-ended questions and listen intently.
● Capture what resonates most with you from each experience.
● Maintain an open heart. Avoid judging, presuming, diagnosing, and categorizing people you meet. Do not focus on what “WE” might perceive as the “problem” or “solution.”
● Be on the lookout for signs of hope and justice. Ask yourself: What am I here to learn, to receive?
● Shaneen Wickenhauser, Program Manager, OD, Mobile: (314) 422-0211
Reminders:
● Wear relaxed casual attire for immersion visits.
● Bring your personal photo I.D. and program materials.
● Exercise compassion, respect and reverence.
● Make a warm impression. You are a representative of Ascension. Prepare yourself to have an open heart and mind; show vulnerability and humility. Give something back.
● Reflection and dialogue will drive/enhance your learning.
Socially VulnerableAreas
Central City, Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans East - A higher percentage of residents live in poverty and work in natural resource-related industries such as petroleum extraction and fisheries. These communities also tended to have a larger percent of the population older than 64 or younger than 5.
Facts
Social Vulnerability Index
American Community Survey (ACS), 2018-2022 (5-year) data for the following estimates:
Action Reflection Learning
YourSchedule: At-A-Glance
TUESDAY
Dooky Chase
FAST FACTS
Opened: 1941
Industry: Premier restaurant for authentic Creole Cuisine and display of African American Art
Special Mentions: Introduced as one of the first African American fine dining restaurants to the Country and the first art gallery for black artists in New Orleans.
ABOUT:
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant opened its doors for business in 1941. What was initially a sandwich shop and lottery ticket outlet in 1939 blossomed into a thriving bar and later a respected family restaurant in Treme. Dooky Chase’s Restaurant soon became the meeting place for music and entertainment, civil rights, and culture in New Orleans. Founded by Emily and Dooky Chase, Sr., and our colleague Michael Griffin. Dooky Chase’s has weathered many storms - including Hurricane Katrina - and remains the premier restaurant for authentic Creole Cuisine in the region. Dooky Chase’s has had the pleasure of serving both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama, Hank Aaron, Ernest Gaines, Quincy Jones and a list of others
VISION A premier sit-down restaurant wrapped within a cultural environment of African-American art and Creole cooking.
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLES/MEDIA:
Article: Dooky Chase’s, Leah Chase Subject of New TV Series
HISTORICAL PAVERS | Dooky Chase
Dooky Chase OrganizationInformation
“This place is dedicated to the fun-loving people of our great city who are desirous of enjoying good food and drink where there is always good order.”
Edgar “Dooky” Sr. & Emily Chase, 1941
Edgar “Dooky” Jr. & Leah Chase
YourSchedule: At-A-Glance
WEDNESDAY
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
YourSchedule:
At-A-Glance
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM Breakfast Royal D in Hotel Monteleone, Lobby Level
8:30 AM - 8:45 AM Sacred Space
8:45 AM - 9:00 AM Solidarity Reflection
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Solidarity Immersion Intro and Prep
9:30 AM - 9:45 AM Break
9:45 AM - 11:00 AM Assemble Welcome Kits
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM Lunch
12:05 PM - 12:20 PM Travel (15 minutes min.)
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Facilitated Dialogue with Associates and Clients
1:45 PM - 2:00 PM Travel (10 minutes min.)
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Facilitated Dialogue with Associates and Clients
Don Damron Matt Jagger Exchange Place (adjacent to Hotel Monteleone)
Tom VanOsdol
Sarah Reddin and Christina Tuiasosopo
Members Bienville C, 2nd Floor
Maggie Gold Royal D, in Hotel Monteleone, Lobby Level
Associates and Clients Hotel Hope
3:15 PM - 3:30 PM Travel (15 minutes min.)
3:45 PM - 4:45 PM Facilitated Dialogue with Associates and Clients
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM Reflective Close
5:20 PM - 5:40 PM Travel (20 min)
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Drinks and Dinner
Associates and Clients St. Joseph’s Rebuild Center
● Harry Tompson Center
● Depaul USA
Associates and Clients DePaul Community Health Center - St. Cecilia’s
Adam Messer
Will Condon Riverview in Hotel Monteleone, Rooftop
Hotel Hope
FAST FACTS
Guests Housed: 162+ (since 2018)
Volunteers: 200+ (in 2022)
Total Meals Served: 11,474+
Active Partners: 20+
Services: Emergency Shelter, Supportive Services, and Transition Assistance
ABOUT: Hotel Hope is a nonprofit, interfaith organization that provides housing to women and their children in a safe and loving atmosphere while guiding them to self-sufficiency and self- empowerment through intensive case management. One of Ascension’s newest partners in our focus on maternal and fetal health in the year following a baby’s birth, Hotel Hope moves families from homelessness to self-sufficiency through a three-stage service model that involves providing crisis intervention services, residential stability and help in achieving economic self-sufficiency.
MISSION Hotel Hope’s mission is to provide housing, support, and hope to women and children experiencing homelessness
VISION Hotel Hope envisions the preservation of the family unit and the elimination of homelessness through systemic change.
VALUES Love: Welcoming the guest with an open heart
Compassion: Extending empathy and respect during a time of need
Empowerment: Providing support that fosters self-empowerment
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLES/MEDIA:
Videos: Chelsea's Journey
Hotel Hope Biography
Sr. Mary Lou Specha
Executive Director
Mary Lou Specha, PBVM, a Sister of the Presentation for over 25 years is an experienced nonprofit executive. Sister Mary Lou most recently served as the Executive Director of Café Reconcile. She has a decade of nonprofit leadership and administration and a career devoted to working for systemic change. Sister Mary Lou has experience in fundraising, strategic planning, nonprofit board developmentand fiscal reporting. Sister Mary Lou lives in Central City, New Orleans, and is committed to neighborhood revitalization. Sister Mary Lou believes in the mission of Hotel Hope and is committed to serving families with love and compassion.
Hotel Hope Biography
Sr. Julie Marsh, PBVM Director of Operations
Sr. Julie Marsh, PBVM, is the Director of Hotel Operations. Sister Julie is a Sister of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary from Dubuque, IA. She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Iowa and a Masters of Arts degree from Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis, Missouri with other graduate work from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. She has 20 years’ experience with families and young adults which included guidance, teaching and administrative experience. As Director of Hotel Operations, Sister Julie oversees the management of services and facilities as well as assists in developing programs, activities, policies and procedures for the guests of the hotel. She nurtures a spirit of hospitality to all guests, staff and visitors.
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Harry Tompson Center CommunityPartner
ABOUT
The Harry Tompson Center is a low-barrier day shelter for people experiencing homelessness in New Orleans. We offer essential services designed to meet the basic daily needs of our guests. Our pillars of service focus on health, hygiene, hospitality, and housing.
MISSION
We strive to create a community wherein supportive and educational bonds are forged among our guests, staff, and volunteers by treating every individual with compassion, dignity, and respect. The Harry Tompson Center is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all those who come to them in need, not only by responding to physical needs, but also by attending to the whole person with respect and compassion.
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLES/MEDIA:
HTC Blog
Stories of Courage
Amazon Wishlist
Organization Information:
Located: Saint Joseph's Rebuild Center & VA CRRC
Partners: Depaul, Lantern Light and Unity of Greater New Orleans
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:45 am - 12:30 pm; courtyard from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Flagship Services: Hygiene
Services | Housing Navigation | Case Management | Basic Medical Care | Spiritual Care | VA CRRC | Bike Program | Personal Care Items | Haircuts | Library Cart | Community Partners | Support & Community
2023 HIGHLIGHTS
Unique Visits: 160/day
Bike Program: 70
Stable Housing: 194
Volunteer Hours: 3,448
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Harry Tompson Center CommunityPartner
1999- Fr. Harry Tompson, Jesuit priest of Immaculate
Conception parish in downtown New Orleans, began the Parish Center Ministry for the Homeless in a small building next to the church serving about 30 individuals per day
2004 - Became a registered non-profit seeing 275 people/day
2005- Hurricane Katrina damaged Center - University of Detroit Mercy offered to re-imagine and redesign Center
2007 - The Rebuild Center opens
2022 - Celebrated 15 years of service at Rebuild Center location.
2025 - New renovated center set to open
Full Time Staff
Katey Lantto Case Manager
Emily Bussen Wain Executive Director
Kip Barard Program Director
Dion Campbell CRRC Site Coordinator Paisleigh Kelley Communications Director
Carla Jinks Center Assistant
Eva Sohl Assistant Director
Emma Talken Jesuit Volunteer
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Harry Tompson Center Biography
Emily Bussen Wain
Executive Director
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Emily graduated from Rockhurst University in Kansas City and later obtained her LMSW from LSU. She was a Jesuit Volunteer at the HTC in 2004-2005, after which she returned to St. Louis with her family. Emily kept in touch with us and when plans were made to reopen the HTC after Katrina, Emily moved back to New Orleans to serve as our Assistant Director, a position she held from 2007 until 2020 when she was appointed the HTC’s Executive Director. Emily is well-known among our community of guests and volunteers and is a beloved leader amongst the HTC team.
CommunityPartner
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Depaul
USA
FAST FACTS:
2023 Outcomes
People Served: 5,411 unique individuals
Employment: Helped 135 people attain employment
Locations: Operates in 12 cities
# of Programs: 25 programs
ABOUT:
MISSION:
Meals Provided: 69,966 meals
Housed: 474 unique individuals
Housing Program Overnight Stays: 93,335
Organization Information: Services:
● Rental and Utility Assistance
● Monthly Cleaning Supplies and Toiletries
● Case Management
● Connections to Medical and Legal Services
Depaul USA is a national homeless services nonprofit organization inspired by Vincentian values. Depaul USA New Orleans provides housing and supportive services to homeless men and women with disabilities through its two programs: Rapid Re-housing for Chronically Homeless Individuals (RRCHI) and “Coming Home”.
Aim to end homelessness and change the lives of those affected by it.
VISION: A society in which everyone, across the world, has a place to call home and a stake in their community.
VALUES: Empower people affected by homelessness to make decisions, set goals, take risks and learn from their mistakes. We work with the most excluded people and treat all who use the services with respect.
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLES/MEDIA:
Videos: NBC 5 Chicago: Homeless Youth: An Invisible Crisis
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Depaul USA
Jessica Lovell Director, Depaul USA New Orleans
Jessica is a lifelong New Orleanian, Jessica graduated from Tulane University School of Social Work.
“There is a harmony that exists in the space that is the Rebuild Center.”
My work day starts when I round the corner of the parking lot and head towards the front entrance of the Rebuild Center. There, waiting for the doors to open at 8am, is a line of men and women, some days longer than others. A series of ‘Good Mornings’ and other ‘Hello’s’ take place as I make my way to the entrance. The crowd thickens approaching the front doors and, inevitably, one of our guests steps in to clear a path and push me (in my wheelchair) through the crowd into the Center and all the way up the ramp, then heads back out front to wait until 8am with the rest of the guests.
Since I have been at the Harry Tompson Center I have been so humbled by the generosity of our guests as people who have so little yet graciously give so much. Each day at the Rebuild Center I witness acts of selflessness and compassion between people- guests, staff, and volunteers alike. It is not uncommon for perfect strangers to advocate on behalf of their neighbor simply based on an understanding of the difficulties of homelessness and the complications that it causes. I feel like I have learned from so many to be a better person and to have a greater appreciation for humanity.
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Depaul USA
“There is a harmony that exists in the space that is the Rebuild Center.”
An example I want to share, not uncommon at the Center: on one of the first very cold days of the year, we were giving out winter hats just after lunch. After the last hat was given out a guy walked up and asked for one but was sadly told there were no more. Another homeless gentleman took the hat he was just given off of his head and gave it to the stranger standing in front of him knowing the temperature would fall to the 30’s at night. Sincere gratitude and thanks were returned in favor and I went off to try and scrounge up another hat, finding a scarf instead.
I like to think of the Center as imperfectly beautiful, unique, and balanced. There is a harmony that exists in the space that is the Rebuild Center. An abundance of acceptance and love (though often tough love) flows there and helps create an atmosphere which allows people to feel safe and seen. The high regard and appreciation that guests feel for the Rebuild Center, the staff, and the volunteers makes our job have immense purpose and meaning.
The flip side of this is also a reality. Many days at the Center can be a challenge, both emotionally and mentally. There is never a shortage of sad stories and sometimes seemingly unsolvable problems. Yet even on these days, Charlie shows up with a new ‘Everybody Loves Charlie’ drawing to hang in your office; Wayne shows up (you know he is in the building because you can hear his voice from inside) and he gifts you with laughter and love; Terry walks all the way to the Center on the day of your birthday just to wish you a Happy Birthday; and always there is someone who says ‘Thank You’…for saying hello, smiling, being kind, listening, being helpful, or just understanding during these difficult days. On this note I cannot leave out the incredibly loving, caring, and simply amazing people that I work with. They truly build my spirits (and others’) and make me a better person. There exists a small but mighty family at the Rebuild Center and I am both grateful and proud to be a part of it!
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Lantern Light CommunityPartner
ABOUT
Lantern Light is a non-profit organization offering unhoused support in New Orleans. They offer two meals as part of their feeding program and serve as a grocery distribution sight for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana.
MISSION
Providing a place of peace, support, and encouragement to the working poor and homeless, in downtown New Orleans, as they rebuild their lives
VISION
Forever moving from despair to Hope!
SUPPLEMENTAL ARTICLES/MEDIA:
Are you called to ministry at Lantern Light?
Organization Information:
Located: Saint Joseph's Rebuild Center & VA CRRC
Partners: Depaul USA and Unity of Greater New Orleans
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Services:
Birth Certificate Assistance | ID Assistance | Morning Snacks/Lunch | Prescription Assistance | Mail | Notary Services | Emergency Financial Assistance | Groceries for Orleans Parish residents | LA SNAP Benefits (Food Stamps)/Medicaid Application Assistance | Employment Assistance | Case
St. Joseph Rebuild Center - Lantern Light Biography
Kenitha Grooms-Williams
Executive Director
A native New Orleanian, Kenitha began volunteering with Lantern Light in 2009 after meeting Sr. Enid Storey at St. Peter Claver Church. She volunteered with Lantern Light while working on her Master’s Degree in Social Work after leaving a ten year career in Advertising and Public Relations. Several years later, she increased her volunteer time with the organization and was asked to join the staff as a Social Worker in 2013. Kenitha’s responsibilities have included obtaining ID’s and birth certificates, assisting with the food bank program and coordinating the notary services. She also resumed the food stamp application service after Second Harvest discontinued the program at the Rebuild Center, added services to apply for Medicaid, Child Care and Permanent Residency Cards, as well as expanding the employment assistance program.
Kenitha is truly grateful for the opportunity to continue what she believes is a remarkable ministry for the homeless and less fortunate of New Orleans and knows that her work with Lantern Light has enabled her to fulfill her true calling, which is to serve.
CommunityPartner
DePaul Community Health Centers
FAST FACTS:
Providing Care: 180+ Years through 11 clinic locations
ABOUT: The Daughters of Charity have provided compassionate healthcare in New Orleans. Today, Ascension DePaul Services and our affiliated FQHC, Marillac Community Health Centers, administer nationally recognized, high-quality, affordable healthcare for children, adolescents, adults and seniors.
Services include primary and preventive healthcare, chronic disease management, pediatrics, prenatal care, behavioral health, dental, optometry, onsite laboratories, pharmacies, and more. In addition, DePaul Community Health Centers utilizes two mobile health units to conduct community outreach and health screenings in underserved neighborhoods and provide services in numerous area Catholic and public schools. The location at Saint Cecilia’s is an integrated neighborhood clinical facility providing a range of services including outpatient behavioral health treatment/groups and maternal/fetal health outreach.
MISSION:
VISION:
Improve the health and well-being of our community and to be a presence of the Love of Jesus in the lives of all we serve and with whom we partner.
Improve the health status of the community. We will advance the long tradition of health ministry to the people of New Orleans, especially the underserved, through the development of a values-driven organization dedicated to primary care and preventive health services, addressing the needs of the total individual – body, mind, and spirit.
“Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute. Speak out; judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
