Innovative Community Engagement with Vulnerable Populations

TXST students in Los Angeles

School of Social Work
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Courses: SOWK 4300K (undergraduate) and SOWK 5300K (graduate) - Innovative Community Engagement with Vulnerable Populations
CRN: TBD
Program Director: Dr. Lea Velez, lrr26@txstate.edu 
Course Dates: Summer II, June 30 - July 31, 2025
Travel: July 6 - 12, 2025
Program Fee: $1,970
Course Tuition: Undergraduate $1,068.24, Graduate $1,289.58
*Financial Aid eligible

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Study in America applications for summer 2025 are open through January 24. Don't miss your chance to study beyond the classroom!

Program Itinerary

This hybrid, service-learning, Study-in-America course will require students to identify, examine, and critically analyze social service programs in Central Texas and Los Angeles, California which provide services to vulnerable populations (persons experiencing poverty, homelessness, food insecurity, criminal justice issues, etc). Additional components of the course include: 1) required travel to various agencies, communities, and areas of interest throughout Texas; 2) required travel to specific agencies and communities in Los Angeles, California; and 3) active participation in service-learning/volunteer activities within several community agencies. The impact of socio-economic and community-based social justice issues is analyzed within the context of human development over the course of life with an emphasis on the impact of positive individual and community development. Cultural dynamics are examined in conjunction with issues of equity, justice, and community service provision. This course is designed to be highly experiential and demands thought, empathy, and action that should be both challenging and rewarding.

DateActivities
Sunday, July 6Travel to Los Angeles. Students are expected to arrive by 4:00 p.m.
Monday, July 7Homeboy Industries Tour, 9 a.m .- 2:30 p.m. This is the largest gang rehabilitation program in the world, students will interact with clients, services at the agency, and have an opportunity to understand the interconnection of poverty, justice, and oppression.
Homeboy Industries Art Academy, 3:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. This program introduces the students to interventions based in the arts, healing circles, and diverse, innovative interventions for justice/gang involved adults and youth.
Tuesday, July 84:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.: PATH Veterans Transitional Housing- West LA Veterans Center
10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Skid Row Housing Trust- Homeless Health Care, Skid Row Arts Alliance
12:45 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.: Lunch and Tour of Little Tokyo
2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.: Japanese American National Museum Tour
Wednesday, July 9Technical Workshop w/Dr. Robert Hernandez and Mr. Fidel Rodriguez at USC on juvenile justice and innovative interventions with communities: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 109:00 a.m - 1:00 p.m.: Visit with three Wellnest locations.
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Griffith Observatory Outing
Friday, July 118:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.: Homeboy Industries morning meeting.
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.: Coalition for Engaged Education
12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.: Outing to Santa Monica Pier.
Saturday, July 12Travel home.

*Itinerary is subject to change.

Application Process

Follow these steps to enroll.

STEP 2

Applications reviewed by Program Director & OXP.

STEP 3

Pay $50 program deposit. Deadline is February 21, 2025.

STEP 4

Register for SIA associated course.

Program FAQ

TXST students make breakfast for PATH veteran's agency in Los Angeles
TXST students at Homeboy Industries
TXST students at Homeboy Industries
TXST students at Homeboy Industries
Expand FAQ List

  • General Information

  • Costs

    • The $1,970 program fee includes:

      • Lodging, 6 nights at USC.
      • Breakfast and dinner throughout the duration of the trip.
      • On-site transportation.
      • Entrance to the Japanese American National Museum.
      • All agency visits.
      • TXST t-shirts to wear during agency visits.
      • Donations to PATH.

    • The program fee does not include:

      • Airfare to/from Los Angeles, CA.
      • Lunch throughout the duration of the trip.
      • Any additional activities students participate in during program free time.
      • Course tuition.  

      *Per OXP policy, airfare is purchased by the student is not refundable by the university. Students are encouraged to purchase flexible airfare or travel insurance in case of the event they are unable to travel. 

    • Students are required to pay a $50 nonrefundable program deposit to secure their spot in the program. The deposit is applied to the overall program fee. 

    • Yes, SIA programs are financial aid eligible; however, eligibility can vary by student award. Students should always confirm with TXST One Stop whether their financial aid will cover the course tuition and program fee. 

  • Program Preparation

  • Drop & Refund Policy

    • Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses on campus. Refer to the TXST One Stop for more information.

    • Students may receive a refund for the program fee if they drop/withdraw within the refund schedule. The program fee refund policy is separate from the refund deadlines associated with course tuition costs.

      The following policy applies to students that drop/withdraw from the course/program:

      • 100% of the program fee is refundable 45 days prior to the course start date.
      • 70% of the program fee is refundable 44 days prior to the course start date. 
      • 50% of the program fee is refundable after the first start date of the course. 

      Students that cannot complete the program and would like to appeal the refund policy, please contact extension@txstate.edu for assistance. 

      Please note the course start date is not the first day of travel.