Intercultural Student Programs: Compassion in Action Retreat (CiAR)
Each fall semester, 25 students embark on an exciting experiential-learning program known as the Compassion in Action Retreat (CiAR) hosted by the Intercultural Student Programs (ISP) Office. At CiAR, students spend a restful weekend away with their peers, visit local communities to learn about their current needs or issues, engage in thought-provoking sessions and conversations regarding Christ-like reconciliation and justice, as well as actively participate in Christ-like service projects that aid the larger local communities around them.
Giving Day 2023 Update A huge thank you to everyone who donated to our project during Giving Day 2023! Your generosity was instrumental in creating an unforgettable experience for our students! From our retreat location to the delicious meals we ate, from the journals we gave each student to the materials we used during our workshops, worship and prayer walk, God provided for us through your donations. May the Lord bless you as you have blessed us!How the Funds Will Be Used
Donations made for CiAR will directly aid in the cost of transportation, overnight venue, program material, and meals for the students attending and staff facilitating this weekend-long experiential-learning program.
Student Impact
"10/10 because I recommended my introvert friends to come, and it truly grew us closer and allowed us to connect through Christ. I believe [CiAR] did meet my expectations of bringing me closer to Christ." VU Student
"My initial thoughts were that I wouldn’t enjoy it. I had worries that I wouldn’t open up or socialize at all. However, my actual experience went beyond that. I opened up right away and had really great/challenging conversations that were helpful and eye opening. I also had a lot of fun memories and met a lot of new friends which is what I’ve been wanting at Vanguard." VU Student
"I would say this experience was a solid 10. I would definitely recommend it to other students. Coming into this experience I had no clue what to expect but it succeeded any nervousness or doubts of even going at all. I believe everything was very well planned out." VU Student
"It was everything I expected, loving Christ centered community and teachings revolving putting compassion into action." VU Student
"I enjoyed the way we were able to be open with one another. [CiAR] helped open up conversation and really help build community with one another." VU Student /
"It sounded pretty cool and chill… I didn’t realize how much I’d enjoy the whole experience until after! I learned a lot from all sessions. I made some new friends as well and loved the prayer walk!" VU Student
"Great experience, I would highly recommend... I did not expect the location to be so beautiful and full of great staff members and people.” VU Student
Why Donors Should Support This Fund
The Compassion in Action Retreat is provided by the Intercultural Student Programs department and is at no cost to any of our students. It is our deepest desire to continue providing it for free, so that any student can attend, regardless of their financial situation. This retreat provides a unique, hands-on learning experience for students to not only spend an exciting weekend away from campus, but to also learn about current social issues and how they can follow Christ by loving people, serving others, and perusing reconciliation and justice through participating in an impactful service project.