Immersion Retreat

Immersion Retreat 2009

Last weekend the Youth Group went on an Immersion Retreat in Portland. We got to learn about issues on homelessness and what it’s like to be homeless and living in Portland. We ate at a place called Blanchet House where they serve free meals daily. We socialized with homeless people and got to hear their stories. Many of us were very nervous to talk to the homeless because we were unsure of what to say or if we would have anything in common, but after talking with many homeless individuals throughout the day we were all able to get over our fears and feel more comfortable speaking to them. Many teens reflected on the fact that the homeless are people too, and that they deserve the same respect and dignity that any human being needs.

Here are a few teens who wished to shared their experience:

“I thought the Immersion retreat was a great heart reaching, eye opening experience, I learned that everyone is the same no matter where they come from, we are still the same on the inside as we are on the outside. We shouldn’t judge because in the end these people are great people and they're so nice and welcoming no matter what they’ve been through, they still have self dignity and are happy to be who they are.”

“On the Immersion retreat, I learned that the people who are homeless and on the street cannot be stereotyped. They are all different. You can't say that they are all homeless because of ongoing addictions to drugs or alcohol, as we met people who, if they had made that mistake, wanted to correct it. There were also people who did have these addictions, however, so you can't say that homelessness was a cold turkey diet from their addictions. But, they are all people, just like you and me.”