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  What is Alternative Break?  

• An alternative break program places teams of college students in communities to engage in community service and experiential learning during their winter or spring break.
• Students perform short term projects for community agencies and learn about issues such as literacy, poverty, racism, hunger, homelessness and the environment.
• The objectives of an alternative break program are to involve college students in community-based service projects and to give students opportunities to learn about the problems faced by members of communities with whom they otherwise may have had little or no direct contact.
• The intensity of the experience increases the likelihood that participants will transfer the lessons learned on-site back to their own communities even after the alternative break ends.  0atha

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CURRENT 2010-2011 SITES

Alternative Spring Break 2011 Sites

Program Dates: March 20-26

Download the Alternative Spring Break Applications here

Site #1: Dorothy's Place, Salinas, CA (Duration: March 21-26)

Dorothy's Place began in 1982 by a group of Franciscan Workers inspired by
Dorothy Day, a social activist whose mission was to defend the poor.
Dorothy's Place serves as a shelter for homeless residents in Salinas,
including the 15.7% of residents who have incomes below poverty level.

Join us this spring on our alternative break trip to Dorothy's Place in
Salinas, CA as we step out of our own comfort zones and take action in the
social injustice of hunger and homelessness. Volunteer projects may
include cooking and serving food, helping at the health care clinic, and
just being a good friend and listener to the residents. You can show
appreciation for what you have by using your privileges for the benefit of
others.(www.dorothysplace.org)

Site #2: St. Vincent de Paul & Home Cares, San Francisco / Oakland, CA (Duration: March 20-26)

People with low incomes, particularly those who live in poverty, face particular challenges in maintaining their health. They are more likely than those with higher incomes to become ill, and to die at younger ages. They are also more likely to live in poor environmental situations with limited health care resources—factors that can compromise health status and access to care. During this trip, we will explore the different facets of health care and health care reform in the United States, while also trying to understand the broad correlation between healthcare and poverty. The premise of health care and health insurance in the US will be approached from a sociological lens through the various humanitarian service projects planned. No actual volunteering in a hospital setting will take place, but participants will be thoroughly educated on its many facets and will be able to establish a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. 

Site #3: Golden Gate National Park, San Francisco, CA

Located in San Francisco, Golden Gate National Park holds a rich history
that goes back nearly two hundred years, from the Spanish Empire frontier
to the Gold Rush, the establishment of American coastal fortifications and
development of present-era San Francisco. This spring, participants will
aid the park in a variety of environmental activities, from habitat
restoration to trail maintenance to gardening.

Site #4: "Restoring the Lands"-La Holla Band of Luiseno Indians, La Jolla, CA (Duration: March 20-26)

The La Jolla Indian Reservation, established in 1875, is a patch of
undisturbed land located in Northern San Diego County.  A few years ago,
the San Diego County wildfire burned through this area and destroyed some
land on the reservation. This Spring Break, we will help the community
restore parts of the landscape and maintain the natural environment they
have preserved over the years. We will be working alongside community
members in their efforts to take care of the environment which is a
sustainable part of their way of life. This is an opportunity to help the
environment while learning about the Native American community through
their culture and traditions.

Winter 2010 Alternative Break Sites (past program)

Habitat for Humanity
Questa, New Mexico
December 11-18, 2010

Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that works locally in communities around the world to select and support homeowners, organize volunteers and coordinate house building. Within the last 34 years, Habitat for Humanity has operated in 90 countries, building more than 350,000 houses.  Located in Taos County with 24% of the population below poverty line and a high unemployment rate Questa, New Mexico will serve as our site during this trip. In a community where housing conditions are not the best, it is important to help the residents of this town build a home for a better future. This Alternative Winter Break trip will provide an opportunity to learn about a community dealing with the recent financial crisis while lending a hand to a well deserving family. 

Dream Center, Los Angeles
Focus: Hunger, homelessness, violence
Dates: December 13-18, 2010

Located in the center of Los Angeles, the Dream Center is a non-profit
organization that provides needy inner-city families with food, shelter,
job training, education, and rehabilitation through a variety of
outreaches and programs. This holiday season, participants will be
involved in services that perpetuate the mission of the Dream Center,
helping solve the poverty, crime, gang, homelessness, violence and drug
epidemics that plague the city. Although this organization has religious
affiliations, the focus of the trip will solely be on the humanitarian
issues at hand, and no person will be obligated to commit to any type of
religious teaching or outreach.

ALTERNATIVE BREAK REVISITED

  Alternative Break Revisited  

• Alternative Break Revisited is an extension of the Alternative Break program specfically for past participants of Alternative Break.  This program will focus on transferring the lessons learned during past Alternative Breaks into monthly service projects and an Alternative Spring Break trip.
• More information
  
  

ANNOUNCEMENTS & UPDATES

• Alternative Spring Break for the 2009-2010 academic year just finished up with 5 amazing trips! Reorientation was held on April 15. Each trip showcased their amazing videos and participants spoke about their incredible experiences. Thank you to the participants and Alternative Break Interns for another successfull year of Alternative Break!!
• Alternative Winter Break for the 2009-2010 academic year just finished up with a very successful trip! Please join us for Reorientation January 14, 5:30-6:30pm in the Cross Cultural Center.
• If you are interested in Alternative Spring Break here are the descriptions for the projected sites. Click here.
• If you are a past participant of Alternative Break please check out our NEW program "Alternative Break Revisited".

Alternative Winter Break, 2008. San Francisco Food Bank.