Alternative Spring Break (ASB) and Alternative Winter Break (AWB) trips provide students the opportunity to travel to different communities and engage in direct service to benefit their host community. ASB and AWB trips strive to promote a life long service ethic by encouraging students to examine their roles in community.  

"I have definitely gained a greater appreciation and understanding of how people can support each other, share their lives, and develop lasting friendships."
-ASB Student

Alternative Spring Break 2008 

Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas

March 16 - 21, 2008

This Spring Break we traveled to Perryville, Arkansas to work at the Heifer Ranch, a division of Heifer International.

Heifer International is a non-profit organization that helps people throughout the world obtain a sustainable source of food and income in effort to end world hunger and to care for the earth.  Since 1944, when Heifer first shipped cows to impoverished families, they have known that livestock offer one of the best resources for ending the cycle of chronic hunger and poverty that plagues two-thirds of the planet.  Since then, millions of families in 128 countries have been given the gifts of livestock, training, self-reliance and hope. Today, millions of people who were once hungry will be nourished by milk, eggs and fresh vegetables.  Families who for generations knew only poverty will be building new homes and starting businesses.  Children who once headed out to the fields to do backbreaking work will be heading into schoolrooms to learn to read.  People who never thought they’d be in a position to help someone else will be experiencing the joy of charitable giving.

On our trip, we will engage in a journey of personal growth as we commit to serving others through interactive learning, community building and work projects.  We will participate in the Heifer Ranch Global Gateway program which provides an opportunity to experience the realities of life for many of Heifer’s world neighbors.  In addition, we will help care for the gardens and livestock on the Ranch.  We will stay in a climate-controlled lodge on the ranch where we will eat our meals and reflect on the activities of the week.

Alternative Spring Break 2007

Immokalee, Florida

April 1 - April 6, 2007

Students: Andrea Brown, Charlotte Campbell, Kyle Davis, Natalia Glaros, Christine Jehn, Maria Jung, Yi Peng Lim, Stuart Martin, Kimberly Rivere, Joseph Sherrock

Advisors: Carol Parreco, Robin Bauer

This Spring Break we traveled to Immokalee, Florida to work with the migrant farmworking community. 

According to the National Center for Farmworker Health there are over 3 million migrant and seasonal farmworkers in the United States.  These farmworkers travel throughout the U.S. serving as the backbone for a multi-billion dollar agricultural industry.  Migrant and seasonal farmworkers represent some of the most economically disadvantaged people in the U.S.  According to a recent study, nearly three-quarters of U.S. farmworkers earn less than $10,00 per year and three out of five farmworker families have incomes below the poverty level.

Alternative Spring Break participants stayed at the Immokalee Friendship House, a shelter for individuals who do not have a permanent place to live.  In 1989, after recognizing the growing homeless population of Immokalee, the Immokalee Friendship House opened its doors.  Since its opening, the Friendship House has provided an average of 660 shelter nights and 1,320 meals each month to the homeless.

On the trip, Alternative Spring Break participants were immersed in the community.  They provided a vital service to the homeless in this community by serving dinner at the Friendship House and interacting with its residents.  Participants also tutored adults learning English as a Second Language and spent one day picking produce at a community farm that provides residents with healthy economical food.

To learn more about the lives of Immokalee's farmworkers, their pursuit of a living wage, and their struggle with the fast food industry, visit  the Coalition of Immokalee Workers' website; http://www.ciw-online.org.

Alternative Winter Break 2007

Kiln, Mississippi

January 11 - January 16, 2007

Students:  Travis Anthony, Erin Bayne, Philip Diven, Shana Gardner, Amber Gillette, Heather Johnson, Nicole Roberts, Shane Seglin, Ryan Skeberdis.

Advisors:  Carol Parreco, William Lowe

Alternative Spring Break 2006     

Selma, Alabama | McLain, Mississippi

April 7 - April 14, 2006

Students: Amy Lynne Bers, Lindsay Brezler, Danny Cokley, Kimberly Edwards, Amanda Eichelberger, Amanda Essner, Shana Gardner, Myong Sun Jung, MyoSung Kim, Dineshan Pathmanathan, Juan Spearman, Gordon Wall

Advisors:  Carol Parreco, Jeanette Jeffrey

We worked with the international organization Service for Peace and community members to help repair their community from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina.  Service for Peace develops projects and educational programs that motivate volunteers to serve their communities on a continual basis by engaging them in effective and meaningful service.

Alternative Spring Break 2005

Big Ugly, West Virginia   

March 28 - April 2, 2005

Students: Hafsa Bora, Ethan Criss, Kara Fabina, Alison Gottschalk, Laura Gottschalk, Hilary Malmberg, Lisa McPherson, Joseph Nkwanyuo, Jason Strauss

Advisors: Carol Parreco, Shawn Bingham