Mount Carmel High School Freshmen students participated in the school’s inaugural week long service learning program, IMPACT, aimed at heightening the Catholic and Carmelite identity and Mission and expanding service learning opportunities for students to express their faith in action.

The freshmen began their week outside of the classroom hiking and removing litter in nearby Jackson Park and practicing contemplative prayer in the Japanese Garden on Wooded Island. The rest of the week was spent at various sites across the city and suburbs, including Indiana Dunes, Powers State Recreation Area, Chicago Botanic Gardens and the Garfield Park Conservatory. The week concluded with an all-class retreat day, consisting of reflection and a class liturgy. The IMPACT program was first implemented at Crespi Carmelite High School in Los Angeles, and recently at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson and brought on at Mount Carmel for the first time this year.