Last day in Pilsen

Becca
We all had a really great experience in Pilsen this week! It flew by and we are so grateful for the opportunity to go on this trip.
Today we finished painting the children's center, worked with the students, got to see the press conference with Governor Pat Quinn and Martin Sheen, and went to the Art Institute of Chicago! There was a lot of culture at the art museum which was cool to see :)
We want to thank everyone who made this made this trip possible. We especially want to thank St. Pius V school for making all of us feel welcome and loved during these past few days and St. Adalbert's for letting us stay there.
This was truly a great experience and we all grew together as a group and have made some great friendships and strengthened old ones on this trip. We highly encourage any and everyone who has not taken the culture and diversity course to go on this trip if it is offered again.

St. Pius Day Three

Becca

Today was another great day in the Pilsen neighborhood! Just as yesterday some of us went to paint while others went to the school to help out in the classrooms. We came back to the rectory from lunch and relaxed for a bit. After lunch we went back to our respective places. I went back to the school and worked in the office for the rest of the evening.

We were supposed to have dinner with a guest tonight but he never showed up, so we went to Fogota Village as a group. It was really yummy! From there we went back to the rectory and socialized the rest of the night.

We are so sad that tomorrow is the last day that we will be in St. Pius V school. We have had such a great time with the students and the teachers. Everyone has been so nice to us and we really appreciate all that they have done for us. This has been such a great experience for us all and we are grateful for everything and everyone that we have had the pleasure of meeting this week.

St. Pius V Day Two

Becca
Yesterday was our second day at St. Pius V and already we are dreading having to leave these wonderful students in a few days!
We spent the morning working in various classrooms which was fun! Elyse and I worked with the resource room teacher. We redid some bulletin boards for her.
After working in the schools in the morning, we all went back for lunch at the rectory. Some of us changed and went to paint the children's center across the street from the school and others went back to the school to help out in office.
After that, we came back and Lauren, Allyson, Elyse and helpers made dinner for everyone. We had four alums from Dominican Volunteers USA. They talked to us about volunteering after we graduate or even while we are student teaching!
The rest of night was spent just relaxing and hanging out with each other.