CSL/CASA at the University of San Diego

Welcome Fall 2011 Students

2011-09-07T14:23:00.000-07:00

Welcome Welcome Welcome!

CASA and CSL are so excited for a brand new year of volunteering and service activities for the Linda Vista Community.

As you can see we have updated our blog to make it easier for students to get information about their programs quickly. Check out our pages to see a blurb about each of our programs, as well as our staff, or read testimonials from students just like yourself.

Put these dates on your calendar if you are signed up for volunteering this semester and check back for future updates on goings on in the community:

Headstart:

Training- Tuesday, Sept 13th, 12:30-1:30pm in Maher 207

Orientation- Tuesday, Sept 20th, 1:00pm-2:00pm at Neighborhood Housing Association

Juvenile Hall:

Orientation - Tuesday Sept 13th, 12:30-1:30pm in Maher 205 OR

Thursday Sept 15th, 12:30-1:30pm in Maher 205

Training - Tuesday Sept 20th, 4:30-7:30pm On-Site

Friday Sept 23rd, 4:30-7:30pm On-Site

Saturday, Sept 24th, 10:30am-1:30pm On-Site

Bayside at Carson:

Orientation- Tuesday, Sept 13th, 12:30-1:30pm at Carson Elementary

Have a Great Week!!

-CASA Office

25 Years of Changemaking - What CASA/CSL Means to You by Alyssa Black

2011-09-01T16:40:00.000-07:00

The summer leading up to my freshman year at USD, I received an unexpected call from the Student Director of what was then called America Reads/America Counts. “Are you still interested in joining this community service-learning program under your work-study award?” “Oh wow. I had no idea I’d be getting a phone call this summer. Absolutely, yes!”

Little did I know how drastically that simple affirmation would change my entire college experience.

For the past two years I have worked at Linda Vista Elementary through this work-study program, now called Youth to College. I have worked with students all along the social and economic spectrum. I have worked with students with autism and ADHD. I have worked with some students that hated school, some who loved school, and some who thought it their refuge. After some time, I finally realized that every student has one thing in common with all the others - spirit. Their eyes would light up with a bright idea, a story they were telling, or information that just went “click!” It was this incredible spirit for life that allowed me to see that it wasn’t just me teaching them; they were teaching me just as much. They tested my patience and understanding (I passed), reinvented my meaning of community involvement, and forced me to appreciate the small things in life. I have learned that working in the community is not just about helping, but about building. It is about building those relationships that you never expected to have and working together for something better. I don’t think I would have ever realized this without those kids. Very few want to simply be told how to fix something and left to their own devices. When we did activities together, we all felt much more enjoyment and success.

As my involvement in the CASA office has grown, I have grasped the fact that this can be applied to anything that CASA is involved it. The work done here is not just to place people in a situation to “help the needy.” Instead, everything here is aimed at building a better community where diversity doesn’t alienate anyone, but gives us all more reason to work together to fight problems that affect us all and make positive changes that lead to more peace and unity.

I truly believe that without CASA, my USD experience would have been without a purpose. I would have gone to class and gone home, with some trips to the beach thrown in there, of course. I would never have built the ties I have built, and I would never seen the beautiful Linda Vista community right up the street from our campus. These experiences have shaped my eyes for the future and made every day feel like it matters. Simple things like my daily interactions are more positive and friendly, and I am much more willing to be a part of a whole, rather than place myself in a hole made only for one, which I have admittedly done before. There is so much out there for us to be part of, and I’m glad I’ve been given the chance to see that. And, as the new Student Director of Youth to College, I can only hope that I can help someone else find the purpose I did. I am convinced that together we can make the world better, step by courageous step.

So, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” – Mary Oliver

I know my answer. Do you know yours?

25 years of Change Making: What CASA/CSL Means to You by Celina Gonzalez

2011-09-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hi, my name is Celina Gonzalez and I am a senior at USD. I have been fortunate enough to be adopted into the USD CASA/CSL family for the past three years. Without the support and the investment CASA has in their students to promote their personal growth while serving the community, I would not be standing where I am right now. Constantly searching for ways to do more, to work in the community, and advocate for equality in education, CASA has supported me throughout my college journey.

Mahatma Ghandi stated, “Be the change you want to see in the world.” CASA/CSL has nurtured my growth through self-improvement via exploration to find purpose in what I do and a connection to the world. Participating in a community of advocacy, communication, and action through service has provided me a new understanding of service, how I may contribute to a greater cause, but also how to receive.

Tutoring students and collaborating to develop curriculum for the Linda Vista Bayside Community Center Academic Club at Carson Elementary allows students to be exposed to and have access to a quality education. I am looking forward to working alongside community partners and CASA members to provide support for high school students and parents while educating them about post high school options through a newly developing program at Bayside Community Center. The new program is called Mission: Possible. Finally, I am ecstatic to participate in the NOLA leadership and immersion trip this year! I have never traveled to New Orleans or participated in a community immersion trip and I cannot wait for all the adventures to come working alongside genuine and good-hearted fellow CASA members and the New Orleans community.

In telling you my experiences with the CASA/CSL family I invite you to be a part of this wonderful family. Please join us in learning more about yourself as well as supporting an awesome community.

2010 AIDS Walk

2010-09-27T15:16:00.000-07:00

September 26 was a beautiful, sunny day in San Diego. We had blue skies, hot weather and over sixty USD students, faculty and friends for the 21st Annual AIDS Walk!

From our Campus-Wide Cupcake Challenge, O-N-E Dollar Challenge, Red Shoelace Campaign and the Walk itself, USD CASA partnered with PRIDE and Rainbow Educators to bring together a diverse group of participants and break USD fundraising efforts with a total of $2,516.00 raised!! Yes, you read that correctly: two thousand, five hundred and sixteen dollars, straight to the SD AIDS Foundation!

Infinite thanks to all of our participants, PRIDE, Rainbow Educators, AMSA and community support! This event wouldn't have been a success without you!

Fall 2010 Student Training!

2010-09-15T15:00:00.000-07:00

Our students spent a long summer apart: relaxing, travelling, working and continuing CASA's mission all over the globe. As amazing as summer is, there is nothing like coming home to the CASA Family in San Diego.

We closed our summer and kicked off our year with a bit of artistic story-telling, sharing our passion for service and learning from each other's experiences as we unite to Ignite Change in our communities. We heard some pretty epic Spoken Word from Instrumental Voices (check out the video below!), stories from our wonderful staff and spent time together eating Mexican food, recognizing our connections and visioning for our upcoming year!

We've got big hopes and plans, so be on the lookout!

For now, enjoy the pictures and awesome video from our very successful training!

Lady Elise--"My Generation"

Instrumental Voices

Meet Jeremy: Office Manager and Inter-Department Liason!

2010-08-09T09:56:00.001-07:00

Hi! My name is Jeremy Alexander Theodore Day and I’m going to be a senior at USD and one day hope to rule the world!

Over the last seven months, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience different corners of the globe (from Madrid, to Guadalajara to DC and Memphis) and now, I’m extremely excited to return to the wonderful University of San Diego and continue the role as Office Manager for CASA. For this upcoming year as office manager, I plan to make our transition in leadership as smooth and successful as possible. I will continue to build our numbers of volunteers and continue to spread awareness for what our department stands for and loves to do.

I helped build and currently oversee a youth-college informational program that partners with the San Diego School District to select elementary and middle schools to attend USD campus tours and sporting events; students from athletics, Greek Life and many other departments on campus help to introduce and inform parents of the opportunities that their children have to attend college.

This year, I will aid the International Center in creating collaborations between the CSL/CASA department and international studies abroad in order to make the student study abroad experience as enjoyable, educational and meaningful as possible. I am also the Community Outreach/Philanthropy Chair for my fraternity, Beta Theta Pi, and I'm in charge of constructing service projects for Beta's USD chapter and organizing our annual philanthropy event, called Surf As One. Surf As One is a surf competition to raise money for the organization Life Rolls On, which is a nonprofit spinal chord research organization.

(For more information on Life Rolls On, click here!)

I am extremely excited for this upcoming year and all of the progress and expansion that is in store for us!

Microfinance: Rocio's Story

2010-07-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

The San Diego Microenterprise Project (SDMP) aims to promote economic recovery, encourage experiential learning and support community development. Microfinance is the practice of extending small loans to individual borrowers who have been traditionally denied access to credit.

Rocio Merino’s Success Story:

Rocio came to the United States from El Salvador with her husband and family. They owned a butcher shop, a restaurant and a supermarket in the San Diego area, until her husband was deported back to El Salvador. Rocio suffered a devastating stroke.

For the last two years, Rocio has turned to handcrafts to help her recovery. Her microenterprise loan has helped get her business, “Rocio’s Hand Made Crafts,” going by providing money to invest in the materials necessary for her crafting. Getting resourceful, she uses recycled materials (soda tabs, CDs and bottle caps) to create and sell scarves, slippers and purses.

Her business allows Rocio to reinvest in her community and continue the cycle: “…I have the chance to teach positive things to people. I was helping a blind Cuban woman to make her own purses…this is very satisfying because it helped this woman to learn how to be independent and have her own income.”

Rocio has big business goals and we can help: “I would like to patent the designs of my purses and make them a famous brand and be able to sell big quantities through the internet.”

Get Involved in Rocio’s Story:

--Stop by the CASA office to drop off your soda tabs and bottle caps!

--Support SDMP!

--Attend a Microfinance meeting through the CASA office! Stop by for more information!

Meet Mercedes: Youth to College Literacy Program Student Coordinator

2010-07-22T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! My name is Mercedes and I am the Student Director of the newly re-organized Youth to College program, (formerly America Reads/America Counts).

I hope your summer has been as interesting as mine – I’ve mostly been busy preparing for my senior year, which is QUITE the headache! But I recently returned from a study abroad trip to London, Paris and Rome, one of the most amazing and valuable experiences I’ve had so far. Formulating an understanding of three new cultures was fascinating and eye-opening, and really inspired me to have an occupation that allows me to travel overseas in the future. Since it was for my Masters degree program, I got to visit several major accounting firms which is helping me decide where I’d like to work after graduation.

I’ve always tried to craft a program in which educational inequities could be battled in our local area through improving academic skills. With the new program restructuring, however, we are now guided by the bigger goal of inspiring students to attend college through literacy tutoring. I've really enjoyed reading all of the applications for the new AR/AC tutors – we’ve received hundreds and deciding what students to choose from such a talented crowd has been difficult. We have a great new group of people who have done amazing things with service and tutoring in their own communities. I'm truly looking forward to what they can do in Linda Vista this fall while working alongside our current tutors, and I’m excited to see how our community can benefit.

One new program being developed this year under Y2C is an English as a Second Language program at Montgomery Middle School, replacing the former America Counts tutoring. If any of you are interested in participating, please contact Diana Velazquez (dvelazquez@sandiego.edu).

At the moment we're working out the details of the trainings to be held at the very beginning of the semester, and we would love any suggestions from past and present participants in the program. I'm looking forward to meeting/seeing all of you once school begins, and I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Summer Update

2010-07-22T15:35:00.000-07:00

Alright, alright. There's no excuse for our lack of posting. We're here now, and not planning on going anywhere. Things have been moving and shaking in the office: we have unofficially "feng shuied" our space and our summer crew has been working hard to get things set up for our upcoming year. There's lots of exciting stuff happening this year and updates are soon-coming for each of our programs. For now, get out your planners and pencil in a few important events!

August

28-31: Torero Days Orientation

30-31: CASA Student Leader Training

September

1: First day of class

11: America Reads/America Counts Training

21: IPJ Peace Day

26: 21st Annual AIDS Walk

October

4-10: Social Issues Conference: Artists Igniting Social Change

15: Fall Holiday (No School)

30: Fall Festival

November

4: Adventures in Service

24-28: Thanksgiving Break

December

13: Last Day of Class

Check back soon for more updates and program information and enjoy the summer sun while you still have it! :)

Fair Trade & Sustainability: Get Involved!

2010-04-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

With planning underway for World Fair Trade Day activities on Saturday, May 8th, my mind drifts back to Southern Mexico, and my experience there visiting fair trade coffee cooperatives this past January. The trip was part of a collaborative effort between CASA, University Ministry and Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Seven USD students also had the opportunity to be a part of the delegation, including representatives from Students for Fair Trade and Sustainability. We were able to see where the coffee comes from and learn more about how the fair trade movement manifested itself there, within the context of the struggle for human rights and specifically for indigenous rights. We visited two different coffee cooperatives- Michiza in Oaxaca and Maya Vinic in Chiapas. It was a rare opportunity to interface with the producers of the beans used for our daily cups of coffee.

As the semester gets crazy with papers, homework and tests it is tough to slow down. So often I am drinking coffee into the early hours of the morning to stay up to finish all my work, but then my coffee just becomes a means to staying awake and I drink it with little thought about who and what is behind that cup of coffee. What is a caffeine fix for many in the global north is the source of survival for many in the south, as their livelihoods depend on the production of coffee.

I think one of the main problems in today’s society is an unawareness or an unwillingness to acknowledge the people and processes that produce the goods that we purchase and consume. When ones shirt is made in Honduras, pants in Thailand and shoes in Indonesia for example, it is difficult to feel any sort of connection or responsibility. We do not see or come in contact with the producers, but are instead separated by many miles. We are connected though, via that product as well as our common humanity.

As part of our delegation’s attempt to connect with the producers we spent time in the rural villages learning about the coffee process, and how the CRS Coffee Project is helping the cooperatives to develop and experience greater success. While visiting Mexico however it was easy to become engulfed by all of the differences that I saw in the communities. The hardships of an agricultural life and the economic and social injustices that the people faced seemed to weigh heavily on the communities. I became wrapped up in how foreign the land and the people seemed to me, but then the wisdom of an old farmer gave me new perspective. He looked at the members of our small delegation and told us that we are no different from them. We may be from the north and they may be from the south, but we are from the same world, he said. I had been caught up in a lot of the economic and cultural differences, and in many ways I had forgotten about one thing we had in common- we are linked as members of a global civilization, and we are also linked by coffee. It was obvious that there were imperfections in even fair trade, but the potential was there, and it was based in this recognition that there is a connection via not only a product but also through our shared humanity, thus implicating the consumer with a responsibility to use their purchasing power to promote peace and justice.

There will be several opportunities this month to engage further with these topics of fair trade, worker rights, globalization, and justice. Students for Fair Trade and Sustainability is hosting a Fair Trade Open Mic Night on Monday, April 12 from 7:30-10 pm in Aromas. There will be performances throughout the evening, and during the breaks students from Students for Fair Trade and Sustainability will be sharing information about globalization, social justice and fair trade. In addition, special guest Rigoberto Contreras Diaz will be speaking about his experiences as a fair trade coffee farmer in Southern Mexico. He is a small-scale, farmer from the state of Oaxaca, Mexico and a founding member of a coffee cooperative. Rigoberto shares the story of struggles within coffee farming communities today, and how the collaboration between their cooperative and Catholic Relief Services is helping to build a stronger foundation for the future.There will be free fair trade coffee and snacks available, as well as the opportunity to purchase some fair trade goods.

Students for Fair Trade and Sustainability is also hosting another exciting event soon. Tuesday, April 27thfrom 7:30-9:00 pm in UC Forums A/B, Jim Keady, an anti-sweatshop activist will be presenting. Jim Keady, theologian, activist, educator, and elected official, is a founding director of Educating for Justice, Inc. (EFJ). Jim has spoken across the United States and at international venues to thousands of interested audience members. He has been sought out by members of the U.S. Congress, as well various university administrators, religious and union leaders and student groups to offer his personal and professional experience and critiques on the issues of sweatshops, globalization and social justice. The presentation details the month that Keady and colleague Leslie Kretzu spent in an Indonesian factory workers' slum living on $1.25 a day, a typical wage paid to Nike's subcontracted workers. Along with personal accounts of lived solidarity, the presentation includes the latest information on Nike's labor and environmental practices that EFJ has researched in Indonesia from 2000 to the present.

Welcome Back!

2010-01-24T17:49:00.000-08:00

We are very happy to have everyone back for the Spring Semester! We have a lot of exciting events coming up and are looking forward to helping support all of you in your ongoing programs.

On January 16th, CASA participated in USD's MLK Parade and day of service. USD was awarded first prize in the Education Division for our participation at the parade! We want to send a special thank you to all the volunteers who came out for the parade and did a lot of meaningful work for the Bayside Community Center.

Over intersession, members of the CASA family went to Jamaica, El Salvador, and Chiapas, Mexico on service trips. We are happy to have all of you back and are looking forward to hearing about your experiences. Other universities sent students to Haiti for service trips, when the country was hit be a devastating earthquake. If you are interested in donating to disaster relief agencies on the ground in Haiti, CASA has compiled a short list of reliable organizations: www.sandiego.edu/csl/.

CASA's Holiday Party

2009-12-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

Mood: Cheery
Location: Roof of Maher, University of San Diego
Event: CASA/CSL Christmas Party

As I step off the sled and onto the roof of Maher I am relieved, flat roofs are my favorite. The trip from up north into San Diego is always a nice reprieve from the cold and wind. I had made a quick stop at Fashion Valley to update the ol’ list but had to make it quick for this year I was invited to the CASA/CSL Christmas Party! Mrs. Clause said I was very fortunate to receive the invitation this year after my behavior last year at this fantastic event, hoho what does she know! Walking in to my favorite Christmas song, ‘All I Want for Christmas is You’ hoho that Maria Carey!, I could see the shock and surprise of each of the dedicated people who serve this community and university. But those emotions soon erupted into joy and excitement as we all began to shake it! It was nice to dance with people my own size (ok, not weight) for once, you’ve got to be careful dancing with elves at my weight. After a few photo ops they let me grab the mic for one last farewell song. It was a duet in fact, and a mighty fine one at that! Although, later Mrs. Clause rambled on about some nonsense that the words didn’t match, oh well! With that it was back in the sleigh with my faithful reindeers to continue our preparations for the best nacho dip we can find, oh and Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

-Nick

Fall Festival

2009-11-10T20:33:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone!! We held our annual Fall Festival on October 30, 2009. This year, we had a unique opportunity to partner with Harbor Church and Bayside Community Center! This gave us a wonderful chance to hold the event off campus and really engage ourselves in the Linda Vista community! We had a great time playing games, doing crafts and handing out candy to many eager children and their families! A piñata, abouncy house, facing painting, story telling and a cupcake walk were among the many fun activities that kept the children entertained! Many animals, transformers, superheroes and princesses made an appearance and most of them took home a prize from our costume contest!

I want to send out a HUGE thank-you to all of our USD volunteers and campus organizations that participated and sponsored activity booths for the kids. This event could not have happened without you!! I hope this event was as fun for all of you as it was for me. I can’t wait to see everyone again next year for this festive and fun filled event!!

A Day in the Life of a Cool Cluber

2009-10-29T20:15:00.000-07:00

Mood: Excited

I stroll into UC 113 thrilled to be taking a break from my ridiculous class schedule and amped for some time well spent with some friends of mine. Chase comes running in yelling ‘Lets Go! Come on its sports week! We got to go!’ like he forgot to plan out today’s activity or something…but we all know it’s just his way of getting us excited. The drive there is too long but before you know it I’m already tagged out in an epic game of ‘Pacman’ where we essentially play tag but are restricted to the white lines of a basketball court. It’s a bit more low-key than kickball, until I realize I’ve got two TRACE students barreling down to get me out again. These guys are crazy! As I’m now tagged out first for the third game in a row, I can’t believe it is already time to go! Well luckily next week we are paper-maching so hopefully that won’t get too messy…oh wait.

“Cool Club is an organization on campus committed to bridging the gaps between USD students and those students of the TRACE program part of Mesa Community College. The TRACE students are college-aged students who suffer from an array of intellectual disabilities. Every Tuesday and Thursday, from 1:45pm-3:15pm, we partake in many different activities, ranging from sports and recreation to arts and crafts.”

Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk!

2009-09-30T13:13:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, September 27, 2009 more then twenty USD students attended
the Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk at Mission Bay. The event was held
to raise awareness and funding for the cause. The grass root
organization helps retired elite military operatives to target the
demand side of trafficking. If you are interested in this cause please
visit the website at www.sctnow.org or contact Chelsea Simon at
chelie412@gmail.com.

2009 AIDS Walk

2009-09-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Thank you SO much to all who volunteered to represent USD-CASA in the 2009 AIDS Walk! It was an awesomely inspiring event that took place on September 27^th in Balboa Park!! It was great to have the support of all the USD students who unselfishly got up early on Sunday morning to help bring awareness to HIV/AIDS. It’s your passion and commitment that makes events like this so successful! Also, a special thanks to Anjuli Wright for all of her hard work and dedication to the walk! We definitely would not have been so successful if it weren’t for her! Thank you again to everyone who participated! It was so much fun! Hope to see you out again next year!!

Alcala Bazaar 2009

2009-09-17T09:00:00.000-07:00

Recruiting volunteers at the Alcala Bazaar!

Training 09-10

2009-09-11T14:32:00.000-07:00

We just wanted to say thanks for your energy and enthusiasm at the leadership summit. We look forward to working with you all this year!

Hey ya'll!

2009-08-24T09:57:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't know me, which should be very few, my name is Chase Tushaus. I'm a senior Industrial and Systems Engineer and a Co-Director of Direct Service in the office with my sidekick Bryce Abraham. I'm one of the coordinators for Cool Club and am also one of the student leaders for the New Orleans Immersion trip. When I grow up I want to be a cowboy or Ronald Reagan. Along with these activities I also like spinning (in circles not on bikes), coloring, listening to Bruce Springsteen, and getting tickled.

This was my first summer in beautiful San Diego and I spent it as an intern at Hamilton Sundstrand in Kearny Mesa. I spent my weekends either down by the beach or pool hopping in La Jolla and the Del in Coronado. I also saw a few plays, mainly Godspell which was just terrific! (If anyone is ever interested in going to a musical or something hit me up!:)

Unfortunately, I also had shoulder surgery this summer, it might have been my 5th one and I might have done it trying to sit down but who's really counting right? I look forward to meeting you all soon...even if I have met you before 'cause I might have forgotten.

Peace, Love, and Bob Hope.

Meet Bryce: Co-Director of Direct Service

2009-08-06T12:50:00.001-07:00

So for those who don’t know me I’m Bryce Abraham. I’ll tell you a tad about myself. I will be a senior mechanical engineering major as well as the CASA Co-Director of Direct Service. I also tutor at Prokids Golf Academy, a non-profit that teaches life lessons through golf skills.

During the summer I have been keeping busy by going to Prokids as well as working at Karl Strauss Brewery in Downtown, surfing, and trying to get into as many shenanigans as possible. Another fun fact about the summer is I discovered that whenever I get the chance I love to use the word “girth.” I will see you all in September if I don’t already see you in the office. Later Days.

Meet Lindsey: Direct Service Graduate Assistant

2009-08-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

Hi! My name is Lindsey and I am really looking forward to beginning work as a new Graduate Assistant for CASA! This year, I will be a first year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at USD. I am really looking forward to beginning school again. I graduated from Arizona State University this past December and I have really missed being a student ever since. It seems kind of crazy, I know, but I really love getting to know fun and interesting people, being involved and making a difference and I find that being a student is one of the best ways to accomplish all of that simultaneously!

I decided to “take the summer off” (meaning no work or school for me!) in order to relax and enjoy the nice weather at home with my family in Michigan before starting school again. I have spent my time here doing many of the things that I love like cooking, running, babysitting my one-year-old niece Lexie, playing in the lake with my dog Kobe and our family dog Lilly, anticipating and FINALLY watching Harry Potter 6, trying to finish Breaking Dawn, the last book of the Twilight series and practicing my Portuguese, which seems to be coming along at a slow and painful pace! I have recently returned from a month long vacation spent in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where I had the best time! For anyone who loves beaches, warm, sunny, tropical weather and friendly people, Rio is the place to visit!

I cannot wait for my upcoming move to San Diego! I have only heard great things about the city and I am so excited to discover and explore all of the wonderful things San Diego has to offer. I am also incredibly excited to meet and work with everyone at CASA and all of the students at USD! I hope you all enjoy the rest of your summer! I can’t wait to see you soon!!!

Greetings, CASA/CSL Family!

2009-08-03T13:18:00.000-07:00

Kelsey and Hannah here. Just thought we’d stop in and say hey/hi/hello/howdy/hola/bonjour/buongiorno/mabuhay (that’s in Tagalog, for Chris)… well, you get the point. We are the new Social Issues Co-Directors for this coming school year, and we really can’t be more excited to jump into some social justice action and to work with all of you fantastic people!

This summer has been quite the whirlwind for both of us. Hannah returned from Cuba in June and immediately jumped back into the CASA scene, and Kelsey traveled home to Los Angeles and then to NYC before heading back to San Diego in early July to CASA-it-up. Since both of us have been back, we’ve mostly been chit-chatting, checking Facebook, and taking coffee/tea breaks every hour, on the hour.…PSYCH! Really, we’ve been working diligently on helping out with what is sure to be one of the best Social Issues Conferences yet! (I mean, c’mon, Paul Farmer will be here – that itself is pretty bomb.com.) Both of us are also involved with the up and coming, new, one-of-a-kind Via International Global Dialogue that will take place during the Conference. Essentially, this program allows us to be paired with a social justice leader from another part of the world, research their life and their organizations, and have the opportunity to escort them around campus during the Conference, and spend some time discussing all of the great work they have done. Basically, it’s pretty much legit.

But that’s not all! Along with the Social Issues Conference, we both have a few other projects we are working on. Hannah is involved with Fair Trade and Sustainability and the Migrant Outreach program, and Kelsey is helping to plan the New Orleans service trip during spring break 2010! We like to keep ourselves pretty busy, but don’t worry, we always make time to “laugh” at Chris’ lame jokes… (Oh, wait… Chris can read this, can’t he? Um… HI CHRIS! …please don’t fire us.)

So, I guess that’s all for now, folks! If any of you have questions or need anything, please feel free to email us, call us, text us, send a carrier pigeon, sky-write, or just stop by CASA and join us for tea-time (everyday at 3:00pm… just don’t tell Chris about it!).

Can’t wait for this year, it’s going to be amazing!

Meet Mercedes - AR/AC Student Director

2009-07-29T15:26:00.000-07:00

My name is Mercedes and I am the new Student Director of the America Reads/America Counts program. I hope your summer has been as interesting as mine - I've been to a few places this summer, including Washington D.C. (where I got to see the president take off overhead in Marine One no less... definitely a highlight), but have mostly been busy with a summer biology course and enjoying living by the beach in my free time. I've also enjoyed reading all of the applications for the new AR/AC tutors - we have an great new group of people who have done amazing things with service in their own community, and I'm looking forward to what they can do in Linda Vista this fall while working alongside our current tutors.

At the moment we're working out the details of the trainings to be held at the very beginning of the semester, and we would love any suggestions from past and present participants in the program. I'm looking forward to meeting/seeing all of you in September, and I hope you all enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Happy Summer Everyone!

2009-07-29T15:22:00.000-07:00

We have had a full house this summer with graduate and undergraduate students working very hard to get things ready for the 2009-2010 academic year – it may be our best yet!

As for the Hughes Family, we’ve been doing some camping, some traveling to see family, and lots of “staycationing” right here in San Diego. It’s been busy, but well worth it! Hannah (our pup) still hasn’t learned how to surf, but she’s much more comfortable in the ocean compared to last year!

As much fun as this summer has been, I am counting down the days until you all return. So enjoy the rest of your summer break and get ready for a great kick-off to a new year together!

Meet Jeremy - CASA Office Manager

2009-07-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

I hope the summer is treating you all great! I returned to the CASA office about a month ago. I was traveling around the beautiful country of France for a few weeks. The south of France is paradise!! When returning to the states I spent some time mountain climbing in Wyoming and Idaho, which was a lot of fun!

Now I am back here with the wonderful people of CASA. Presently I am working on putting together training sessions for the mentor programs that will be newly implemented for next semester. It will be some great opportunities. Well that’s all for now! Hope all of your summers go well!

Oh P.S. the SLP building is so so so so amazing!!

Welcome Back

2009-07-27T12:18:00.000-07:00

Here’s hoping you all have had a great summer. I have had a wonderful time. I spent a month in Ireland and Spain – fantastic! I am off to New York shortly! When you can catch me in San Diego, I am working in the CASA office. All is going well in CASA – it’s not quite the same without the daily buzz…but Chris manages to buzz around. And I do mean buzz – he runs around the place making a buzzing noise. Strange. Looking forward to welcoming you all back and meeting new and wonderful leaders. Can’t wait to see what the year has in store for CSL and CASA.

Greetings CASA and CSL Crew

2009-07-27T12:15:00.000-07:00

I hope you all are having a restful and great summer. While the summer staff is having a great time this summer we are also busy getting ready for the school year. There is an excitement in office because of all of the great things we are anticipating for the new year. There are several immersion trips scheduled, plenty of direct service opportunities and of course we are looking forward to a great conference with Dr. Farmer. So come back rested and ready to go because we are looking forward to a full and fun year. Have a great rest of the summer.

Meet Ilana - Graduate Assistant at CASA

2009-07-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

I’m Ilana a new Graduate Assistant at CASA. I just started attending USD this summer and will be getting a Master’s in Culture, Literacy, and TESOL. I spent several years working in PR/Marketing for the nonprofit and private sector. I was inspired to switch careers because of the kids in my neighborhood and my experience with Teaching for Change.

I’m very excited to be back in school and to be working with CASA! I know how much community work has changed my view of the world. I am looking forward to meeting and working with everyone in the CASA family.

I’ll be helping with PR for CASA...so remember don’t keep us a secret - tell your friends, classmates, co-workers about CASA!

Meet Chelsea - Graduate Assistant at CASA

2009-07-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

My name is Chelsea Simon I am a second year graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. My sub specialization is in spirituality and I am also working on my certificate in the Pastoral Care and Counseling program here at USD. This coming year I will be a Resident Minister. I am honored to be the Graduate Assistant in the Center for Awareness, Service, and Action this summer.

I am interested in spirituality, counseling, working with children and teenagers, and social justice issues. I was the Graduate Assistant for the Romero Center for Faith in Action last year. I enjoy working with students as the find the connection between their faith life and service. I also love football (go Steelers!), chips, and children.

This summer I am enjoying living at the beach, taking classes, meeting with students, and working at CASA. I am also having fun continuing to explore San Diego with visiting friends and family.