Reflections on my LA Immersion Trip
Recently, I’ve been thinking about the condition of human dignity in our world today. The luck that factors into the individual reality we all live through. So much of our lives is influenced by luck: where we grow up, the opportunities we’re given, and the circumstances we have little control over. A lot of this reflection took place on the LA immersion I embarked on only a few days ago.
This Immersion was facilitated by my school as a way for students to gain real world experience and exposure to the realities faced by people different from us. It consisted of a three day trip visiting different organizations in East LA. We went to Homeboy Industries, Alexandria House, the Hippie Kitchen, Get on the Bus, and more. All of these organizations directly address the needs of their community. We also took part in direct service at places like the Midnight Mission soup kitchen and handing out blessing bags and hygiene kits to people in need on skid row. Seeing the circumstances and volume of the unhoused population in LA was truly a stark reminder of the real world implications of social structures and lack thereof. Human wellbeing and dignity can so easily be forgotten and overlooked.
This immersion pushed me to look beyond my own daily routine and really consider what it means to live without certain privileges. Most importantly, it made me confront how easily dignity can be preserved or threatened depending on social structures, access to resources, culture, and human compassion. I encourage anyone reading to make themselves uncomfortable and put yourself in the shoes of someone in need; the only thing separating your life from theirs is chance. Recognizing this truth has been humbling, but also motivating to continue to speak and write about these issues and give a voice to those in need.
Written by Giuseppina Loverso 11/8/25
