The participants of the first El Otro Lado El Paso.
Cathedral High School in El Paso, Texas hosted the first San Francisco New Orleans District El Otro Lado El Paso immersion experience the week of March 7 – 11, 2016. Participants in the inaugural event included Lasallians from Cathedral High and from Saint Mary’s College High School, Berkeley, California.
An extension of the original El Otro Lado begun ten years ago at San Miguel High School in Tucson, Arizona, the objective of the 5-day program is to provide Young Lasallians with an opportunity to experience the realities of life in the borderland area of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. The two schools’ students and adults were able to come together to create faith community and extend their commitment to the Lasallian mission by answering the call to serve with the migrant community.
Learning about the history of Annunciation House and the migrant population that it serves.
According to El Paso program coordinator Sheila Garcia, “El Otro Lado participants learn about the unique culture of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, interact with the people of the borderland, listen to their stories, and share in the experiences of their day-to-day lives. Through this exposure, our youth are able to learn the many sides of the border issues relevant to our bi-national communities: youth at risk, unaccompanied minors, political asylum seekers, and human trafficking.”
Participants began each day with a session focused on Catholic social teaching. They then visited a number of sites to learn about the work being done at each of them. Locations included the Juárez Juvenile Center; Centro Catalina women’s cooperative; Centro Derechos Humanos; St. Pius’ Rico Ministry; Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center; Salesiano Oratorio outreach center; Annunciation House; Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services; and the U.S. Border Patrol agency.
Receiving a special goodbye benedición (blessing) from the women that work for Centro Catalina.
Reflecting on encounters of the week, one Saint Mary’s student said, “Every day there is something to be thankful for. Seeing a border separate human beings is difficult. I have hope that one day a better plan of action can be taken. Seeing little kids who have so much faith gives me faith.”
The El Otro Lado El Paso program will continue to offer immersion experiences in the 2016-2017 academic year, with three sessions scheduled for the fall and three sessions scheduled for the spring. Program coordinator Garcia states, “As we move forward with the program, we encourage our Lasallian schools to explore venturing to the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez borderland to gain a (first-hand) perspective surrounding border issues. We would like to give our Young Lasallians the opportunity to build a new sense of consciousness on the grim border realities, as well as the hope (that is) being created in response.”
SMCHS moderator Mike Sommers participating in the group’s closing candlelight vigil.
For more information and/or to reserve your spot to participate, please contact Ms. Sheila Garcia (see letter for contact info).
Read Sheila Garcia’s letter about El Otro Lado El Paso.
See more photos at Cathedral HS’s Facebook page.
