This spring break I went on a Wake Alternative Break trip to Chicago. WAB trips are offered through the Pro Humanitate Institute every year and there are various trips that you can go on. During these trips, you spend a week doing service and getting to know the people that are on the trip with you. Some of the places that people go to are Asheville, Chicago, DC, New Orleans, and Atlanta. Each trip focuses on a different aspect of social justice within these communities. I went on the Chicago trip which focused on the Latino Community. We volunteered at Casa Central, a social service agency that helps to strengthen families and supports growth at every stage, from children to seniors. Our group of six people volunteered with their early learning academy and the school aged program. In the mornings, we helped with the little kids (ages 2-4) in their classrooms. We were an extra set of hands to the teachers and we had various tasks which ranged from playing with kids during center time to setting out the beds for nap time. In the afternoon, we helped with kids ages 5 to 12. These kids were split into three smaller groups and we helped them out with homework or other things that they had to do.
You should consider doing a Wake Alternative Break trip because you learn a lot about yourself, these different communities, and the other people that go on the trip with you. It is also a great way to get involved and learn about the social justice issues that exist in places other than Wake Forest!