ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK 2018
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has!” ~Margaret Meade
MISSION:
Alternative Spring Break (ASB) is a unique opportunity for students to dedicate their spring break to doing community service. ASB immerses students in communities they are unfamiliar with to do work they have never done before. This makes for an intense cultural, educational and personal experience. The philosophy driving ASB is that it is not enough to simply provide service but that one must seriously examine why that service is necessary in the first place. Of course, ASB is not all work and no play. Having fun and forming friendships are major parts of ASB. Pre-trip meetings, fundraising efforts, service and reflection bring students closer together and provide daily opportunities to make new friends and have a good time.
The value of ASB lies in its ability to:
- Expand students’ worldviews
- Deepen students’ sense of civic responsibility
- Encourage students to embrace and celebrate diversity
- Challenge students to break down the stereotypes they unconsciously cling to
- Put students in an environment where they are working with others who may be very different from
themselves
- Help students connect what they are learning in and out of the classroom to the world at large, through reflection
activities and deeper conversations.
Trip Information (please review the websites carefully):
This year we will be two trips, which will leave Saturday, March 17thand return on Saturday, March 24th. These trips are organized by an Advisory Board of students andare run by Team Leaders who were selected based upon their experience, leadership ability and commitment to the program. A faculty/staff Learning Partner will also attend each trip. Please contact the Team Leaders with any questions that are specific to his/her particular experience.
Hurricane Harvey Relief with Community Collaborations International (Houston, TX): This trip will be led by Courtney Tani and Gian Zito. In September, Hurricane Harvey left a path of destruction in Houston, TX. We will be working with Community Collaborations International on a variety of hurricane relief efforts in the Greater Houston area. Some projects may includecleanup and repairs of homes affected by the hurricane, assisting with after school programs, and working with local non-profit food pantry and animal rescue organizations.For more information on Community Collaborations International, please visit Cost for this trip is estimated between $675-$750. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Courtney at or Gian at
Hope Works (Chicago, IL): This trip will be led by Maria Rodriguez. Hope Worksis a non-profit organization aiming to combat high unemployment and low graduation ratesthrough workshops for adults and after school programs on the south side of Chicago. Cost for this trip is $450-$525. For more information about Hope Works, visit If you have questions, please contact Maria Rodriguez at .
** Please note that the costs listed are an estimate.
Application Information:
Space is limited for these trips.
Read the application carefully and be thoughtful in your responses when completing it. THE APPLICATION IS DUE ON FRIDAY, October 20, 2017.All applications must be turned in to Emma Seilsin the Center for Civic Engagement (Campus Center, 2nd Floor). They can also be emailed to .
If you have any questions regarding the application or the overall program, please contact Emma Seils at or at 413-782-1638.
ALTERNATIVESPRING BREAK 2018
APPLICATION
Detach pages 2-3 and submit to Emma Seils NO LATER than
4:00pm on Friday, October 20, 2017. Please print clearly or type.
Name (as it appears on your driver’s license): Box # Cell Phone:
Preferred Name/Pronouns:
Residence Hall/Commuter Address:
Date of Birth: Year at WNE (circle): FR SO JR SR
E-Mail Address: Major:
Are you a returner? If so, which trips did you attend? ______
T-shirt size: _____ Do you have a meal plan (include number)?
How did you learn about ASB (information session, email, flyer, etc.)? ______
Please answer the questions listed on the following two pages. If you need additional space, attach any extra paper you use to this application. Take your time, be honest, be creative, and try to be concise.
- Briefly describe why you want to participate in the ASB program.
- If you could describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
- Do you have any community service experience? If yes, list and briefly explain. If not, what attracted you to ASB?
- Please share anything else about yourself, or any special skills you have, that would enhance your candidacy for ASB.
- Do you have any special needs (i.e. dietary, medical, etc.)?
The questions below are possible ASB scenarios. describe how you would respond in each of these situations. if you need extra room, type up your responses.
- How would you work with a team member who is not meshing with the group? How would you communicate your concerns to this individual and assist the team leader with creating community?
- Someone in your group is feeling homesick and is distancing themselves from everyone else. How would you reach out to this person to learn how they’re doing and include them in a group?
- During your trip, people are complaining because the service isn’t what they expected. How would you react to this situation and help others appreciate the experience?
UNDER EACH TRIP, INDICATE YOUR PREFERENCE USING 1 or 2.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Hope Works
Houston, TX Chicago, IL
______
Please explain why you selected this particular issue as your top choice and describe any experience you have had with this topic or passion you have for this issue. **Please note there is no guarantee that you will be placed in your first choice experience**
If we are unable to accommodate your first choice, are you still interested in attending ASB? If not, please explain why.
Alternative Spring Break is an Alcohol and Drug Free Experience
In order to achieve the goals and objectives of this program and maintain the safety, security, well-being, and respect for the participants, teams, and communities we are serving, alcohol and drug use is NOT permitted on Alternative Spring Break, even if you are 21 years of age or older. Participants will be sent home, at their own expense, should they choose to not respect this aspect of the program, and will face judicial sanctions upon their return to Western New England University. If you agree to this policy, please sign and date below.
Signature:______Date:______