Campus Ministry

Alternative Breaks

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world.
Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead

Mission

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 towards 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.

Vision

Alvernia University Alternative Breaks envisions an engaged campus that values community and promotes the common good.

Trips

Group Meetings

Alternative Breaks is a large commitment.  Participants on spring break trips will start meeting in mid-October and continue meeting weekly or bi-weekly until the trip the following spring.  Summer trip participants will start meeting in mid-March.  Meetings will have a variety of topics--icebreakers, introduction to Alternative Breaks, team-building activities, movies or information about the trip issue, Drug and Alcohol Policy (We are illegal drug and alcohol free!), and, of course, fundraising.

All trips will also participate in some large-group Alternative Breaks activities such as the First Meeting, MLK Day of Service, and AB Reunion.

Fundraising

To keep the cost of the trips low for students, Alternative Breaks has a rigorous fundraising regimen.   All students are required to participate in fundraising.  The biggest and most successful fundraiser is our letter-writing campaign, deemed "Adopt-a-Breaker."  Each student will write letters to friends, families, local businesses, politicians, and more, asking for donations (i.e. adoption) for his or her trip.  In addition, each group will perform various large group fundraiser throughout the year such as selling gift cards, working concessions at the Sovereign Center, selling pizza, or doing a bake sale.  There is no specific amount each student needs to raise, but rather a goal that each trip must raise.

Student Leadership

Each Alternative Breaks trip has one student leader to accompany one staff leader.  "Site Leaders" will help plan meetings, organize fundraisers, communicate with their group, plan reflections, gain valuable life skills, and have a ton of fun!  You do not need to have been on a trip before to be a leader.

Applications

The application process for the 2009-2010 academic year is over.  Check back next year to apply for an Alternative Breaks trip!

 For additional information regarding Alternative Breaks please contact Jo Pressimone.