Have you heard of Alternative Breaks Program here on Central’s campus? If you haven’t, here’s the down low on what it’s all about, how you can get involved, and a couple quotes from Alternative Breakers!
Alternative Breaks is a program through the Volunteer Center where Central students are able to volunteer to make a difference around the world. Instead of the typical Panama City spring break or a winter break in a ghost town, students may find themselves volunteering in Maine, Tennessee, Louisiana, and all over the country.
The program offers about 40 trips throughout the school year allowing more than 400 students the chance to volunteer for social justice issues including animal endangerment, natural disaster relief, suicide prevention, and hunger and homelessness. Central’s program is ranked fifth in the country for most trips coordinated by a school and fourth for the number of students participating in the trips by Break Away, the national nonprofit organization that supports the development of Alternative Breaks programs.
Alternative Breaks provides students with the chance to travel, make a difference, and learn about themselves.
“I never thought I would be one to volunteer over a break from school, but it has been the most influential experience I have ever had and I would highly recommend it to anyone,” says Hannah Messer, junior.
This program is all the rage and highly competitive! There are specific dates throughout the year where students all over campus wake up at 7 AM to sign up for the trips because the first 10 students to sign up receive a spot on a break. Typically there are about 150 students left on a wait list.
Here’s one cool factor: students who have participated in Alternative Breaks are able to become a site leader for future trips. This means that the groups are student-led, which shows how passionate and dedicated Central students are to this program. Who better to lead a group of students than a fellow student?
“After my first Alternative Break, I knew that I wanted to be a site leader immediately. I loved every aspect of the trip, including the awesome relationships I made with the other Alternative Breakers. I have been a site leader for this past winter break, and although I have the title of “the leader,” we all decide as a group how we want to spend our time and we really thrive off each other,” says Deanna Petkov, junior.
So the question on everyone’s mind: how much are these trips? Alternative Breaks makes sure to host fundraisers for each trip. One popular event is their Midnight Skate hosted at the Mount Pleasant Ice Irena, where everyone can come out to support their fellow classmates on this great trip for a great cause. Other fundraisers include Tropical Smoothie, Buffalo Wild Wings, or other popular establishments around the Mount Pleasant area. Alternative Breakers also carpool in a van for each trip to keep costs low. Can you say “road trip”?!
To get involved, Alternative Breaks is on Orgsync and Facebook, and located in the Volunteer Center on campus.