As a Catholic school in the Marianist tradition, we believe in a living in faith experience. We look to Mary as a model of faith and spirituality, emphasizing a spiritual life helping others.
The Gross Catholic Service Immersion Experience allows students to work in an environment that goes beyond their local community. Students have the opportunity to join with others from across the country to make a difference. This unique opportunity is a way to bring hope and help to those who need it, in keeping with the charism to provide service outreach. Gross Catholic High School is committed to developing students as Christian leaders in the Marianist tradition and to educate for service, justice and peace.
From March 2 through March 10, 2012, students at Gross Catholic traveled to Lacoochee, Florida, to work with Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County to build new, affordable, decent homes for the many poverty-stricken people.
Lacoochee is a small rural community in Pasco County. After its good mill days were gone, the town has suffered from concentrated poverty, dilapidated housing and in many areas, it resembles a poor community from a century ago. Students will be working in an environment where 37.4% of its 1,779 residents live below the poverty level. Over 60% of residents have income below the poverty level. The median house value is significantly below state average and the unemployed percentage is above state average. While Pasco County is a fast growing community, thousands of its residents are living in poverty. However, Habitat for Humanity’s unique homeownership model provides a solution to this problem by offering low-income families the opportunity to purchase their own simple, decent, affordable home.
Read what the students had to say about their trip in the Cougar Blog.
In past trips, students have traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana; Laredo, Texas; the Mississippi Gulf Coast, and the Appalachian Mountains in West Virginia.
