Alternative Break Service Trips
Open Windows of Opportunity for Alma College Students
Windows that put a face on the issues and raise the awareness of non-profit organizations
The team of 14 who traveled to New York City spent the majority of their volunteer time serving with God’s Love We Deliver. This organization prepares packages and delivers more than 1500 meals each weekday to clients with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.
I never really understood the AIDS epidemic until I saw it first hand. I will never forget the faces of the clients. This has been an amazing yet heartbreaking experience. I am definitely going home a different person than I came. Rebecca Peacock ‘08
I have seen a lot in one day, maybe a little too much. I have seen the impact that one program can make on so many lives, including mine. Haley Underwood ‘06
Windows that affirm
students’ intended vocations
The largest Alternative Break team focused on elementary education in an urban setting. The 20 participants were welcomed in Philadelphia by the National School and Community Corp. They spent their days in service at Sheridan Elementary School, whose students are mostly of Puerto Rican heritage, providing assistance with both educational and recreational programs before, during and after the school day.
Seeing how these children live, I realized how much they needed us and how much we needed them. Shawn Grutsch ‘06
I learned a lot about myself as a future teacher and how I need to improve some of my teaching techniques. This was a life-changing, memorable experience. Erika Fitzgerald ‘08
We saw the hope and strength of people. I also learned more about my future profession. A lot of my stereotypes were broken and I got to see beyond the media. Joann Piccolo ‘06
Windows that illuminate cultural diversity and allow it to be emb
raced
Habitat for Humanity is one of the most popular organizations with whom college students offer their service. The Alma College team of 18 flew to Texas this year to work with the chapter affiliate in the border town of Laredo. They were excited to work alongside the partner families for whom the homes were being constructed.
Even though we were in Texas, it felt like a foreign country. I loved being in another culture. Robin O’Neill ‘07
I learned a lot about another culture. I truly felt I was in Mexico. Being in the minority was quite an experience, a good thing for each of us, I think. Erica Vandekerckhove ‘08
The people we worked with in Laredo were awesome. Dan Martin ‘06
Windows that cause you to look at yourself
One of the trips was intentionally faith-based. Rural Kentucky was the destination for these12 participants as they traveled south to assist Appalachian Service Project with home repair projects.
The purpose of this trip was to serve others but I got so much more out of it than that. I have grown so much on this trip and my eyes have been opened on many different levels. Kristin Kuczera ‘08
One thing that I’ve learned is that class boundaries and socioeconomic boundaries do NOT work because the moment the one sees himself in the eyes of another class, the boundaries fall apart. We are all human, we all have similar experiences and we are all alive. Service is important, but relationships and love and compassion are even more important. Marcus Hong ‘07
Windows that open eyes to global issues
Our smallest team was 8 in number. They participated in service learning through Heifer Project International’s working farm in Rutland, Massachusetts. After a day of sightseeing in Boston, they provided the necessary labor for all the farm chores prior to experiential sessions on global hunger and sustainability.
We learned a lot about politics in regards to our everyday choices, farming.JPG)
, how we can make a difference and related issues. Morgan Burnash ‘08
The knowledge and discussions that we had were very eye opening and made us all think harder about pertinent global issues such as development and environmental awareness. The facilitators would give us food for thought and then actually make us put our knowledge into action. Jim Templin ‘06
Windows that open through the eyes of children
A team of 11 served as counselors at Camp Boggy Creek, (Eustis, Florida) in June. The campers were children who suffer from hemophilia and arthritis. This experience gave Alma students the opportunity to help children, whose daily lives revolve around their medical treatments, have a chance to "be a kid" for a week.
This trip was truly amazing for me. I came down believing that I would be making a difference in the lives of the Camp Boggy Creek kids, but they taught me more than I know I taught them. My campers were strong people who have been through so much in their lives. They have inspired me to look through the hard times in my life and to remember my experiences. I want to strive to be more like those kids. Janie Pudvan '07
This trip was amazing! I really enjoyed everything about it and wished I had done it in my previous years at Alma. The site of Boggy Creek was so breathtaking and everyone was so organized. They made us feel appreciated and treated us like full-time staff. Lauren Dart '05
Discovering Vocation will support 4 Alma College participants in an Alternative Break Summer Institute sponsored by Break Away. This will encourage leadership and promote continued interest in transformative opportunities for students through Alternative Break service trips.
Where are service teams going during the 2005/2006 academic year? Our students and staff will work together to provide a variety of opportunities.
