Ex-seeding Expectations: Community Gardening and Food Insecurity- Description: Spend your spring break addressing food insecurity by strengthening local food systems and community gardens. Our week will include learning about food insecurity and community gardens, running a gardening club and teaching kids! Join us as we partner with an organization that is dedicated to addressing food insecurity through community connections and agricultural projects!
- Location: Oregon
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hello! Our names are Hayley Thomas (she/her) and Bryce Bennett (he/they), and we are so excited to be leading Ex-seeding Expectations: Community Gardening and Food Insecurity! Hayley is a senior majoring in international affairs, and Bryce is a sophomore in integrated design engineering. Hayley works for the Basic Needs Center, and Bryce works for the Volunteer Resource Center; as such, we both are very passionate about and dedicated to fighting food insecurity! We are excited to lead this program because Alternative Breaks provides great opportunities to learn about an important issue and give back while having a fun, community-centered spring break. Join us on a week-long program to address food insecurity in the Pacific Northwest through gardening and education. Together, we will have a great Alternative Break!
The Stigma Stops: Camps for Youth Facing Challenges- Description: Join us this spring break and help develop programs for youth facing significant life challenges. Specifically, youth living with or affected by HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ young people. You will help prepare summer camp programs where campers can build community, confidence and memories while having fun in a welcoming and supportive setting! You will also learn about these challenges and help stop the stigma when returning to your CU Boulder community. So don’t worry, your service will not end on the last day of spring break.
- Location: Minnesota
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Greetings! Our names are Blanca Cerda (she/her) and Trishala Thakur (she/her). We are thrilled to lead The Stigma Stops: Camps for Youth Facing Challenges! Blanca is a senior majoring in neuroscience with a minor in sociology. Trishala is a graduate student pursuing her master's in data science. We are very grateful for the opportunity to be part of Alternative Breaks. This program not only allows us to serve others but also educate ourselves on different issues that affect the communities we enter. Join us for a week of intentional service as we break the stigma!
Empathy over Apathy: Homeless and Poverty Relief- Description: Join us this spring break for an immersive program of understanding and impacting homelessness in an urban environment. Our program will engage with the local community by learning about their culture and creating bonds through teamwork-oriented activities that provide opportunities to learn life skills. The week will be spent volunteering at local soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other agencies while learning to become active citizens.
- Location: Ohio
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi, cutie patooties! We are Alex (she/her) and CJ (he/his), the co-site leaders from the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) for the upcoming Alternative Spring Breaks Program! Alex is a sophomore majoring in urban planning and is excited to be returning to Alternative Breaks as a site leader this year! CJ is also a sophomore majoring in molecular cellular and developmental biology and is also the director of membership development with the NRHH! We are thrilled to be leading this program to assist the Homeless Coalition in Ohio! Our goal is to develop a more mindful relationship with our community through service-learning and recognition. We hope you will gain unforgettable experiences and friendships through this program!
Construction and Community: Habitat for Humanity at Dacotah Tipis- Description: Spend your spring break volunteering with Habitat for Humanity! This program will address issues around affordable housing and indigenous rights, and you will be helping to construct and repair homes on a reservation in South Dakota. You will be engaging and immersing yourself within the Crow Creek community and get the chance to bring more affordable housing to the reservation!
- Location: South Dakota
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hello, Buffs! Our names are Whitney Shapiro(she/her) and Orla McGrath (she/her) and we are so excited to be leading this Alternative Breaks program! Orla is a senior studying English and journalism, and Whitney is studying math. Orla and Whitney are both passionate about service work, and engage with it frequently, this is Whitney's second time going on AB. We were drawn to Alternative Breaks because of its opportunity to engage in mindful service outside of our everyday community.
At the Borderlands: Immigration and Border Immersion- Description: Participants in this program will be exposed to a comprehensive spectrum of views about immigration and the borderlands by visiting local organizations that work with immigrant populations, learning about immigration law, and building an understanding of economic policies and realities affecting people on the border. This program is sponsored by the Casey Feldman Foundation! All students wanting to be considered for this trip must submit a short statement on their interest in participating in this program. Any student selected for this trip will be required to share a headshot and a short story or essay about their experience on Alternative Breaks to be shared on the Casey Feldman Foundation website.
- Location: New Mexico
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hi, my name is David Debretsion. I’m a second year biomedical engineering student, and I’m from Aurora, Colorado. I went on a spring break program of my own last spring and learned a great deal from my experience, so I wanted to try leading one this time around. This is my first year as a site leader, so it will be just as much of a learning process for me as it will you all, so I’m excited to go on this journey with you all! And I'm Sophie -- I'm from the Chicago area. I'm a Sophomore with a double major in psychology and journalism. Outside of school, I love to do art, hike, garden, cook, skateboard, and volunteer of course. I am so happy I get to be part of the Volunteer Resource Center, and help inspire other students to contribute positively to their communities.
Resilient Roots: Historical Habitat Preservation- Description: Spend your spring break with Tennessee State Parks and leave a mark that will last a lifetime. Climate action and resilience are at the forefront of everyone's mind, pitch in and help do your part this spring break. Through your efforts, you will be able to spend your spring break dedicated to the preservation and conservation of a multitude of various species of wildlife including animals, plants, and insects. Working with a local community partner we will work to restore the environment and help maintain this historic site. Our group will engage in several service activities like shoreline cleanup, trail work, invasive species cleanup, and more. Join us in safeguarding the biodiversity of this historic site, and making transformative memories within your college career.
- Location: Tennessee
- Dates: Saturday, March 23–Sunday, March 31, 2024
Meet the Site Leaders
Hey, Buffs! Our names are Giana Rocha (she/her) and Mohamed Osman (he/him) and we are absolutely thrilled to be this year’s site leaders for the Alternative Breaks Program Resilient Roots; Historical Habitat Preservation.
Giana is a sophomore from Brighton, Colorado studying Political Science. Mohamed is a sophomore from Denver, Colorado studying Philosophy.
We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Alternative Breaks (AB) this year. We both had the opportunity to participate in an AB program last year and agree the experience was nothing short of life-changing. AB gave us the opportunity to give back through service, be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and create lifelong bonds. This spring break, we are excited to come back and create similar experiences for more Buffs! Join us this spring break for an unforgettable eco-adventure, where you'll not only recharge your spirits but also make a lasting impact on the planet.
