Donate Your Spring Break
Students Opt for Alternative Breaks
By Broadside Staff Writer Kristen White
- Tropical locations, booze, bikinis and cruises are all characteristics of a typical spring break getaway. How about trying something different like traveling to a place where you can help a group of people in need or a specific cause?
Instead of the traditional “Crazy in Cancun” spring break, more and more students are choosing to go on Alternative Break trips. These trips allow students to partake in a break from school, while receiving the satisfaction of community service.
This spring there are five different options for an Alternative Break. The two trips, costing $300, are going to New York to work with organizations that strive to prevent HIV/AIDS and to Pennsylvania to work with Habitat for Humanity right
outside the Pittsburgh area.
In Philadelphia, Pa. there is a program that costs $475 for students that works with City Year, an organization that helps youths provide for their community needs. Volunteers will work with high school kids to organize a leadership program and paint murals near El Stops, Philly’s subway system and at recreational centers. Sarai Garnett, an enthusiastic alternative break student and co-leader of this trip, is planning to work with City Year after she graduates in May.
“The alternative break program has been a safe haven for me for the past three years where I have grown and experienced a multitude of life changing events,” said Garnett.
Justin Fogata, a senior and another co-leader of the trip to Philadelphia, has had life
changing experiences with the Alternative Break program in the past and is looking forward to his upcoming plans with City Year.
“To be part of this experience means to be part of Philadelphia's history, their murals being a culturally significant symbol for the community,” said Fogata. “That's what makes Alternative Break so valuable to the college experience.”
Another trip will be going to Atlanta, Ga. to mentor urban youth and inspire them to gain educational, career and social opportunities for themselves. In Stuart, Fla.
students will be right near the Everglades to conserve the ecosystem by repairing forests and trails. These trips both cost $500 and include transportation, meals and
lodging.
On each of these trips, students are able to make special connections with their
peers, while serving the community to which they travel. These are memorable
experiences for everyone involved in the Alternative Break program.
“AB is very important to me and I cannot wait to go to Philadelphia this year to share in some more joy with another group of incredible people,” said Garnett.
“Sure, Cancun and Cabo San Lucas sound great, but I couldn't pass up this chance my last year at Mason,” said Fogata.
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