Alternative Spring Break going further
In 2011, 60 Concordia students will be travelling to locations around the world to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Last year, 23 students participated in the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program.
The program offers students the opportunity to here and far away over reading week, this year from February 19 to 26.
The goal is hands-on interaction well outside the classroom that will foster the experience of being an engaged citizen. In turn, the experience will benefit their scholastic and career paths. They will also participate in critical reflection and group discussions held each evening after the hands-on service during the day.
Along with increased participation, the number of destinations has increased as well. The possibility to volunteer in the Dominican Republic or here in Montreal remains, but organizers have also added the options of travel to either New Orleans or Peru.
“We received a lot of interest in the program since last year,” says ASB Coordinator Rich SwamiNathan. “It was always our goal to go further and to engage more students in different types of learning,” adds SwamiNathan, who will be the staff team leader for the Peruvian trip.
Eight students will stay in Montreal to work with Catholic Community Services (CCS), a not-for-profit organization providing support services for families.
A group of 18 people will go to New Orleans to aid Habitat for Humanity with ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, and another group of 18 are off to the Dominican Republic to work at an orphanage and teach English at local schools.
The 16 students who head to Peru will work with local non-governmental organizations, building and painting a school library for students who have special needs.
Each group has one staff/faculty team leader, who takes care of logistics, as well as one student team leader, responsible for team dynamics and acting as a link between the staff/faculty leader and students.
Participants have been attending weekly workshops since last November designed to prepare them for their ASB experience. The sessions provide a chance to meet teammates, ask questions about the experience, understand the concepts of service-learning and civic engagement, and learn about the culture and community they will participate in.
With interest and participation in the program up, funding has become more important. “Many students want to do this, but they cannot afford it,” says SwamiNathan. The price tag is borne by the participating student, and ranges from $200 for a Montreal placement to $2,100 for Peru. Many students have decided to raise funds to bring the cost down. They’ve been asking friends and family for personal donations, held a bake sale, and held fundraising events at local nightspots: February 11 at the Comedy Nest and February 12 at Tonic Club Lounge.
“In the future, we’re going to try to make it more accessible to more students,” says SwamiNathan. The ASB is a collaboration between the Dean of Students Office and Concordia Residence Life. In April 2010, SwamiNathan won a Concordia Council on Student Life Outstanding Contribution Award for the ASB program (see Journal, April 15, 2010).
ASB participants will be holding a showcase when they get back for anyone interested in becoming involved in ASB in future years to meet participants and to hear their stories.
Related links:
• Concordia Alternative Spring Break
• Alternative Spring Break offers more than just volunteering - Journal, March 4, 2010
• 2010 CCSL and CUVI Awards gala - Journal, April 15 2010
• Concordia Residence Life
• Concordia Dean of Students