Judy Bafaro

Sophomore, Digital Cinema major

I hope by taking on this mission that I will deepen my spirituality and my understanding of current issues by coming to know other people and their life stories. I anticipate a supremely rewarding experience, and I feel so blessed to be a part of it. I am passionate about the rights and dignity of human life. I believe that all life is sacred, and it should be valued as such in the way children are brought into the world and educated, in the way adults are supported and understood, and the way the elderly are taken care of and laid to rest.

Pamela Barrientos

Sophomore, undecided

I look forward to learning and growing spiritually. I look forward to being challenged by different ideas, and sharing the learning experiences with those around me. An issue of justice I am passionate about is racial discrimination. I feel that no human being should be judged based on the color of their skin, race, or national origin. People of all backgrounds should be given an opportunity to progress and achieve their goals.

Patrick Brown

Junior, Digital Cinema major / Catholic Studies minor

I am looking forward to learning about myself and exploring my relationship with God, while developing meaningful relationships with nine other people. I am passionate about the problems that face persons with disabilities. This has been an issue that has affected my life and has been something my family and I work for.

Jillian C. Gindy

Senior, Communications major / Catholic Studies minor

I am looking forward to intentionally practicing simple living in an emotional and spiritual sense as well, because as I continue to practice finding peace from within and from God it will help me to grow in love for others more deeply and fully. An issue of justice that I am passionate about is the pro-life movement. I believe that life is a basic human right and that we are called to respect each other--this includes issues such as abortion, capital punishment, war, torture, and other acts of violence towards the human person.

Claudia Guzman

Senior, History major / Community Service minor

My goal is to become a high school teacher and to also be a campus minister for a high school one day. A social injustice that I am really passionate about at this time of my life is inner city education. I really want to be a part of the fight for higher education for inner city kids.

Sasha Johnson

Junior, International Studies major / Political Science & Peace Studies minor

I am yearning to live in 1022 W. Belden because I know that I will be challenged in many ways. Fortunately, my nine other housemates will be accompanying me along my journey and together I am hopeful to develop a place of hope, inspiration and love. I hope to use my experience in the house to become a better servant to the global community especially those who are suffering in Africa. I hope that this upcoming year will be a dwelling place to help me understand myself, my community and my calling better.

Laurel Perez

Sophomore, Digital Cinema major with a concentration in Screenwriting

I hope that by living simply I can become a person who can think outside of their own life and think of others before myself. I would also like to dive deeper into my faith, learn more about God—strengthening my relationship with my Savior. One issue that I have paid most attention to over the last few years is that of the immigration laws between the Mexican and U.S. border. The building of a wall between these neighboring countries has also been of major concern to me. I would like to learn about the hardships and struggles that so many immigrants face, while educating others around me.

Denise Prociuk

Junior, Secondary Education major with a concentration in English / Studio Art minor

I am hoping to attain much personal growth through living in an encouraging, faith-filled, loving, and service oriented house where we are like family, loving each other unconditionally and through action. I am also hoping to gain a greater knowledge and understanding of social justice issues and the marginalized. I look forward to participating in weekly service because this will help me see that serving the marginalized can be a lifetime commitment, and one that can be very fulfilling. Education is the area of social justice that I feel most passionate about.

Mike Van Dorpe

Sophomore, Mathematics major

I'm really looking forward to the opportunity to learn about and experience the Vincentian perspective of Catholicism. I think that consistently living out the tenants will help define what it will mean to me to be Vincentian. I believe that intentional community will allow for great friendships and bonds to develop, and allow us all to have a significant impact on each others lives. I'm passionate about education within inner city schools.

Ashley Weger

Senior, Secondary Education major with a concentration in English and Social Studies

I hope to develop holistically through my participation within the V&L community. I look forward to developing an environment with my housemates that critically addresses issues of social justice, equality and compassion, and to live a life of active Vincentianism alongside the community we collaboratively create. An issue of justice I am particularly motivated by is economic justice, for it encompasses layers of inequality manifested in our society. As a future educator, I see issues of privilege on a daily basis, of how money and class impact the expectations and opportunities of young people.