Alternative Breaks Trips 2009-2010
Winter Break
Helping at Home
Reading, PA
January 15-18, 2010
Cost: FREE
This Winter Weekend trip to Reading is the first of its kind. Students will stay in downtown Reading and experience the culture of Reading while working at various organizations over the weekend. The trip will culminate with the first annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service with Alvernia students, staff, and faculty.
Spring Break
Developing-World Cultural Immersion
Duran, Ecuador
February 27-March 6, 2010
Cost: $300
The
Ecuador trip will work with Rostro de Cristo (Face of Christ), an
American non-profit agency working in Ecuador. Rosto de Cristo’s
mission is to “provide spiritual and educational opportunities for
young people from the United States to live out the Gospel of Jesus
Christ together with the people of Ecuador” (http://www.rostrodecristo.org).
Built around pillars such as simplicity and community, Rostro de Cristo
provides a strong cultural immersion program which exposes students to
developing-world poverty and encourages them to be in relationship with
those they meet.
Gulf Coast Relief
New Orleans, LA
February 27-March 6, 2010
Cost: $250
The
New Orleans trip will work with Operation Helping Hands, a branch of
Catholic Charities working in Katrina-ravaged Louisiana. OHH brings
people from all over to “help rebuild New Orleans by rebuilding homes
of elderly, disabled or uninsured homeowners” (http://www.ccano.org/ohhprogram.htm). Participants can expect to do anything from painting or landscaping to plumbing or electrical work.
Appalachian Poverty
Salem, WV
Februay 28-March 6, 2010
Cost: $150
The West Virginia trip will travel to Nazareth Farm, a small Catholic community farm near Salem, WV. Nazareth farm is “devoted to living out the Gospel message through the cornerstones of community, simplicity, prayer, and service” (www.nazarethfarm.org). Participants will provide home repairs with (not for) the people of Appalachia and experience the richness and diversity of the Appalachian region.
Summer Break
Helping at Home
Reading, PA
May 16-21, 2010
Cost: $100
The
Reading trip provides a fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in
the culture of Reading and to learn about and work with some great
agencies in town. In past years, the Reading trip has stayed at Holy
Cross United Methodist Church and has worked with organizations such as
RiverPlace, Opportunity House, Centro Hispano, and Kennedy House.
