Urban Plunge to Baltimore, Maryland
January 9 – 16, 2027
Join a cohort of Franciscan-hearted young adults from across the country
from Franciscan campus ministries, colleges, and universities
for a week-long intensive immersion experience in eco-justice and faithful reflection.
What is an Urban Plunge?
Plunge into Baltimore with the Franciscan Action Network!
Urban Plunges focus on short-term, high-intensity immersion in U.S. cities. Urban plunges seek to challenge perspectives. These shared experiences help us answer the question: What is mine (and ours) to do?. Students are invited to plunge themselves into a new community, and with those on the margins, and connect their faith with service, prayerful reflection, and social justice.
FAN is offering a J-Break Urban Plunge to Baltimore, Maryland, in January 2027 (January 9-16, 2027). Franciscan campus ministries, colleges, and universities are invited to nominate student and faculty participants for this exciting and immersive experience in environmental justice and faithful reflection.
Student leaders are encouraged to apply directly with campus ministry (or a related office) by November 1, 2026.
“Where the poor are concerned, it is not talk that matters;
what matters is rolling up our sleeves and putting our faith into practice
through a direct involvement, one that cannot be delegated.”
Pope Francis, Sixth World Day of the Poor, Nov 2022
Where will we plunge?
Baltimore was declared the “dirtiest city in America,” yet the city is innovating in areas of environmental restoration and justice, racial justice, violence interruption, and social service provision to migrants and the poor. Urban Plunge participants will learn from and serve at impactful Baltimore city nonprofits, including: Filbert Street Garden, the Franciscan Center, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove, Safe Streets, and more. Join us!
Service Sites
Service and immersion sites will continue to evolve as FAN confirms with partners through February 2026. Possible partners include:
- BUILD, community organizing and power (here)
- Catholic Relief Services, global climate migration (here)
- Esperanza, Catholic Charities, welcoming immigrants (here)
- Filbert Street Garden, urban gardening and education (here)
- Franciscan Center of Baltimore, economic justice (here)
- Grief Ministry, Archdiocese of Baltimore, violence and pastoral care (here)
- Little Portion Farm, sustainable farming, the environment and faith (here)
- Masonville Cove Partnership, urban environmental restoration (here)
- Mr. Trash Wheel (here)
- Safe Streets, Catholic Charities, violence interruption (here)
- South Baltimore Community Land Trust, community-led organization (here)
Sample Schedule
Schedule will continue to evolve as FAN confirms with site partners through December 2026.
Winter: National Zoom Sessions to prepare for immersion trip
DAY 1 (Sat.): Arrival, Introductions, & Service
1pm: Arrival, Introductions, and Warm-Ups
DAY 2 (Sun.): Planet & Integral Ecology
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Environmental Justice
DAY 3 (Mon.): Planet & Integral Ecology
Site Visits: Filbert Garden, Little Portion Farm, Masonville Cove
Speakers: Zero Waste, South Baltimore Community Land Trust
DAY 4 (Tues.): Peace & Violence Interruption
Site Visits: Archdiocesan Grief Ministry, ROCA, and Safe Streets
Speaker: Nonviolence and the Christian tradition
DAY 5 (Wed.): Global Migration
Site Visits: Esperanza and Immigration Outreach Service Center
Speakers: Immigration Lawyer (local); Franciscans Intl (global migration)
DAY 6 (Thurs.): Eco-Spirituality & Faith
Morning Nature Hike
Speaker: Eco-spirituality and sustaining fiaith and action
DAY 7 (Fri.): What’s next? & Campus Action Plans
Site Visit: Baltimore City Council and/or Maryland state capital to conduct legislative visits
Training: BUILD Training in Power
Group Planing: Campus Action Plans & Franciscan Justice Circles
DAY 8 (Sat.): Departure
Breakfast & Evaluations
10am: Closing Liturgy & Commissioning
Spring/ Summer 2027: National Zoom Sessions to continue to craft Campus Action Plans
Retreat House
Student participants will be housed in the Catholic Community of South Baltimore Retreat House in bunk beds in shared rooms with shared bathrooms. More information on the retreat house is here.
Faculty and staff participants will be provided separate, single rooms with shared baths in an adjacent rowhouse.
FAN will seek to meet all requests for special accommodations within our capacity and budget. FAN will contact all participants individually to identify special needs (including accommodations, accessibility, dietary, etc.).
Where will we stay?
32 bunks!
Reflection time!
How do I apply?
Student leaders apply directly with campus ministry (or a related office) by November 1, 2026.
- October 2026: students apply to their campus office, by November 1.
- November 2026: campus submits group registration and fee of $100/participant, by December 1.
- December 2026: National Zoom preparation sessions.
- January 10-16, 2027: Urban Plunge to Baltimore (transportation provided by campus).
- February & March 2027: National Zoom follow-up sessions.
- October 2027: Students apply to campus office for January 2028 J-Break Urban Plunge.
Cost
The Franciscan Action Network is delighted to heavily subsidize the cost of this experience for students and staff. The cost of participation is $100/per person which covers lodging and meals (and local transportation in Baltimore if a campus van or vehicle is unavailable). Please note that transportation to and from Baltimore will be the responsibility of the host college, university, or campus ministry.
Applications & Group Registration
Above is a suggested timeline to assist campus applications and registration with FAN by December 1, 2026.
Student leaders apply directly with campus ministry (or a related office) by November 1, 2026.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to consider attending as well. Separate housing is provided to faculty and staff in a nearby rowhouse. The cost for faculty and staff participation is the same- $100/ participant.
We hope to see you soon in Baltimore!
Download the promotional flyer.
For questions, please contact Nora Collins (ncollins@franciscanaction.org).
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
