Went to the Darst Center for a week long service immersion trip through my college. I was disappointed to see not a single POC on the staff. Despite the fact that our trip was advertised as a School to Prison Pipeline trip, only two of our sites had direct involvement with schools and the criminal justice system. Staff was inconsiderate to the different viewpoints of many of those on our trips and unwilling to accommodate different needs. The program has a lot of potential, but needs a lot of work to be successful.
The Br. David Darst Center is a really unique organization. They focus on education helping young people "see it differently". Through their retreats, they explore social justice issues like racism, inequality, homelessness, etc. - but in a way that encourages people to recognize our collective shared humanity. After a weekend of volunteering at local organizations and lots of reflection and discussion, they encourage people to take what they've learned back to their communities and impact change there. Not only do you have the opportunity to learn more about the world around you, but their programs help you learn more about yourself.