The mission of the University of North Texas's Alternative Breaks Program is to raise awareness of social issues and injustices through education and intensive service learning experiences. With the goal of promoting service on the local and national, students are immersed in communities that will bring to the forefront social awareness and inspire lifelong action and friendships. Alternative Breaks provide a variety of low cost, week long and weekend service opportunities. There is no more powerful service experience than when students are fully immersed in new communities and social issues. These opportunities not only contribute to a deeper understanding of social issues, service and community, but are often the sparks which ignite people to get involved in community service.
The Center for Leadership & Service is sponsoring 17 Alternative Spring Break trips, March 9-16, 2013. Join a team of students to spend your spring break making a difference.
The issues that we will be working with this year cover a wide spectrum including youth, Katrina relief, environment, and health. You will get to work with many interesting people in unique environments and of course have lots of FUN!
Here are the 17 incredible locations for Alternative Spring Break 2012-2013
Health & Disabilities:
“Camp Rock!” - Camp Summit – Argyle, TX- Cost: $25 http://www.campsummittx.org/
Spend a week at Camp Summit for your spring break! Camp Summit is a great get-away for special needs children and adults to help grow independence and enhance skills for life. Be a counselor and work one-on-one building unforgettable relationships with some great campers! Lodging will be provided at the camp.
“Care is the Cure!”- The Washington Home and Community Hospices -Washington D.C. - Cost: $500 http://www.thewashingtonhome.org/
Make a difference in the lives of many over spring break! The Washington Home and Community Hospices is a great program to help care for people in rehabilitation, long-term care, special care, and hospice care. This trip is flying and stays 3/9-3/16/2013
Disaster Relief:
“Buildin’ in the Bayou!” –St. Bernard’s Project – New Orleans, LA- Cost: $250 http://www.stbernardproject.org/
Be a Saint and help repave the way for families who were devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Not only will you be helping to rebuild homes, but you will help rebuild lives. Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Rebuilding America” Joplin Disaster Relief/United Methodist– Joplin, Missouri- Cost: $250 http://www.umocm.com/page23/page23.html
Make a difference by rebuilding the heartland damaged by tornadoes. Join us as we roll up our sleeves and bring your construction skills to help put families in homes. Lodging will be provided at a church.
Poverty and Homelessness:
“No One Knows Food Like Memphis!” - Memphis Food Bank – Memphis, TN- Cost: $250 http://www.midsouthfoodbank.org/
Take a bite into this great trip centered on fighting hunger in America. Volunteer with the Memphis Food Bank in this swinging city overflowing with music and culture. You will join as an advocate in this fight by helping distribute food to families in Tennessee. Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Homeless, not Hopeless!” – SAMMinistries – San Antonio, TX - Cost: $250 http://www.samm.org/
Give hope back to the homeless citizens of San Antonio while enjoying sites like the Riverwalk and the Alamo. When you volunteer with SAMMinistries you are helping give a fresh start to individuals and families. On this trip you will help combat poverty and homelessness. Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Mi Casa Es Su Casa!” –Metropolitan Homelessness Project- Albuquerque NM- Cost:250 http://www.mhp-nm.org/
Help shorten the experiences of homelessness and help make sure they are non-reoccurring. Take a week off of comfort and help make the lives of those less fortunate a little easier. Give back and make a difference with the Metropolitan Homelessness Project! Lodging will be provided at a church?
Animals:
"Puppies, and Kittens, and Eagles…Oh My!” – Collierville Animal Shelter– Memphis, TN- Cost: $250 http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/TN167.html
Calling all animal lovers! Help this Safe Haven rescue the homeless animals that live within Memphis. Bathe, walk, brush, and show care for animals that were saved from abuse, abandonment or death. Your dedication and attention to these animals will start them on a new path to hopefully becoming a future pet! Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Big Cats, Big Fun!” -Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge- Eureka Springs, AR- Cost: $250 http://www.turpentinecreek.org/
Come to the beautiful Ozark Mountains to help protect rescued exotic animals at a Wildlife Refuge. On this trip, you will help build and habitats for tigers, lions, panthers, and other large cats that need homes. These cats will purrrrrr with excitement at the homes you create for them! Lodging will be provided at a retreat center. Please note that although you will see the big cats, there is not direct interaction.
Environment:
“We Mean Green Clean!” – Galveston Bay Foundation – Galveston, TX- Cost: $250 http://www.galvbay.org/
Jump into this great trip to help restore the Galveston Bay. You will work on restoring the natural habitat, protect shorelines, and improve the overall water quality for animals. Requires a hard-working student ready to get to work on a big problem that certainly needs attention! Lodging will be provided at a church.
Youth & Children:
“It’s great to be a kid!”- St. Louis Crisis Nursery – St. Louis, Missouri - Cost: $250 http://www.crisisnurserykids.com/
St. Louis Crisis Nursery helps prevent child abuse and neglect by providing care for children in a safe environment. Volunteers will help youth in educational programs and assist this organization that provides respite care and prevents child abuse. Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Opening Doors for Homeless Youth” -Covenant House- St. Louis, Missouri- Cost: $250 http://www.covenanthousemo.org/
Covenant House of St. Louis, MO is looking for compassionate volunteers to help homeless, at-risk youth become productive and independent members of the St. Louis community. With open doors and open hearts, you can help Covenant House build a bridge from homelessness to opportunity. Lodging will be provided at a church.
Trips sponsored by departments:
“Freedom is not Free.” - Freedom Foundation – Selma, Alabama (Sponsored with the Multicultural Center) - Cost: $150 http://freedomfoundation.org/
Learn about the Freedom Ride and the Civil Rights movement. Learn not only the history but experience the impact today through service and education. The Freedom Foundation’s mission is to CULTIVATE (develop, enlighten, educate, train, refine, advocate for, encourage, help, aid, and assist) THE NEXT GENERATION through programs and services that inspire and equip them to reach their full potential. Lodging will be provided at a church
“Be a Saint!” –Operation Nehemiah– New Orleans, LA (Limited to Greek Life students)- Cost: $150
Help rebuild New Orleans. Join in the movement to empower people affected by Hurricane Katrina. It takes a Village to make a difference. Lodging will be provided on site.
“Extreme Home Makeover – UNT Edition!” – Common Ground – New Orleans, LA (Limited to Emerald Eagles)- Cost: $50 http://www.commongroundrelief.org/
Come help rebuild the heart of Louisiana after the massive destruction from Hurricane Katrina. This trip will include rebuilding homes and a greater sense of hope in this once vibrant city. Looking for hard working Greek students ready to make some change! Lodging will be provided by the organization.
“Chillin’ with the Children!” - Cherokee Nation – Tahlequah, OK (Limited to student in UNT SERVES! REAL Community) - Cost: $150 http://www.cherokee.org/
Follow the trail to Oklahoma to work alongside the Head-start program and perform volunteer service with kids. You will be engaging in a rich and historic culture that will be worth your while! Lodging will be provided at a church.
“Kids Count!”- Operation Breakthrough- Kansas City, MO (Limited to students in the Sophomore or Transfer REAL Communities)- Cost: $150 http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/
Do you want to mentor, tutor, and give back to some wonderful kids? Then come join us in Kansas City where you will be working with children through a preschool program. Operation Breakthrough provides children with so many resources to help them and their families be successful. So brush up on your Sesame Street and get ready to make a difference! Lodging will be provided at a church.
Faculty/Staff Advisor Application- (Due September 14, 2012)
Site Leader Application (Due September 5, 2012)
Spring Trip Participant Application - (Due October 24, 2012)
You can make payments here for Alternative Spring Break. The non-refundable deposit is due December 7, 2012 and the remaining balance is due on February 8, 2013. Click here to pay.