Alvernia University Alternative Breaks organizes weekend and week-long service and immersion trips for students to inspire and empower them to lead lives dedicated to serving the underserved, promoting peace and justice and working toward the common good. Centered around the pillars of education, direct service, and reflection, Alternative Breaks trips address pertinent social issues and provide students the opportunity to learn, serve, and reflect with a small community that fosters personal growth and promotes radical love. The hope is that these short-term experiences will challenge students to make a lifelong commitment to servant leadership and active citizenship.
Time Commitment
Alternative Breaks is a large commitment. Participants will meet regularly throughout the year leading up to their break. Meetings will have a variety of topics: icebreakers, introduction to Alternative Breaks, team-building activities, movies or information about the trip issue, our drug and alcohol Policy, and fundraising. All trips will also participate in some large-group Alternative Breaks activities such as the kick-off Meeting, Prep4Break Sessions and so on.
Student Leadership
Each Alternative Break has one or two student leaders to accompany one staff advisor. Alternative Break site leaders will help plan meetings, organize fundraisers, communicate with their group, plan reflections, gain valuable life skills and have a ton of fun!
