The Romero Program

Brophy’s Romero Program

The Romero Program creates a learning experience that allows Brophy seniors to put their faith into action, to understand and respond to issues related to inequities in the community, and to take the first steps toward becoming the leaders Arizona will need to build an equitable future for all its citizens.

Brophy partners with Phoenix organizations who are working to support members of our community facing challenges that often prevent them from being able to live safe, healthy and productive lives. Students spend two days a week learning through internships at one of our partner organizations and two days in the classroom, as well as receiving spiritual direction from on-campus mentors and participating in two immersion trips as a group.

This year-long praxis learning experience culminates with each student developing a Pastoral Project that addresses a need central to the mission of the student’s partner organization. For more information on the Romero Program, please click the links below.

- Foundation for Blind Children CEO Marc Ashton '84 with Class of 2019 seniors from The Romero Program. FBC is a Romero Program partner.

"The Romero Program has been the most life-changing course I've taken."

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> Romero Program Overview and Expectations

Program Overview
The Romero Program is a senior-level, year-long elective that is designed to be the capstone of a student’s entire Brophy experience and of our Jesuit, Catholic values. These students dedicate a considerable portion of their senior year to understanding and responding to the social issues facing citizens of Arizona. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students leave campus to participate in internships at organizations working to confront different inequities in Phoenix. On Mondays and Wednesdays, students are in class studying a curriculum of social analysis, theological reflection and personal discernment based on the experiences in their internships. Our mission is to help form the next generation of Arizona leaders. We can only do this with your partnership!

Expectations of Partner Organizations
We partner with organizations interested in collaborating with two or three Brophy seniors who would work as interns for the academic year. While the shape of each internship varies at each organization, we ask that our potential partners be open to offering the following for our students:

1. Meaningful participation in the work of the organization, with an eye toward opportunities to interface with the people impacted by the social issues the organization confronts;

2. Mentorship from leadership at the organization, which may include regular check-ins, participation in leadership team meetings, meeting with people who operate the different levels of the organization, etc. Most importantly, we seek leaders who are passionate about forming the next generation;

3. An openness to “project thinking,” meaning that interns should have an opportunity to take ownership of certain projects or initiatives. By the end of the year, students are expected to design and complete a new project for the organization at which they intern related to their work there.

Expectations of Students and Teachers
The partnering organization will receive dedicated and thoughtful participation from some of Brophy’s most entrepreneurial and creative students, who will be available to work or serve for 5–6 hours every week from August through May of each academic year. The ideal schedule for Brophy interns to be physically present at your organization is Tuesdays and Thursdays, somewhere in the window of 12:30–4 p.m.

Romero Program teachers will work with partner communities to develop a “curriculum” for the internship, will visit at least four times during the school year, and will be available for regular contact and support. If you are interested in learning more, please contact program director, Mr. Tim Broyles.
> Romero Program Partners

PRAXIS SITES

Andre House

ASU College of Public Service and Community Solutions

Center for the Future of Arizona

Foundation for Blind Children

Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest

Million Dollar Teacher Project

Neighborhood Ministries

Promise Arizona

St. Joseph the Worker

PAST PRAXIS SITES (will be available again fall 2021)

Catholic Charities Communities Services — Rosewood Court Apartments

ChessEd

Foundation for Senior Living

Native Health

One Hundred Angels

Poder in Action

St. Joseph's Hospital — Transitional Care Clinic
> Contact the Romero Program

For more information, contact program director, Mr. Timothy Broyles, at romeroprogram@brophyprep.org.