The Center for Community Engagement is now accepting applications for this year’s Alternative Spring Break program, where students will travel the country completing service projects.
Mena Vollano, the CCE’s administrative coordinator, said the program brings students together in support of a common cause.
“We find that these trips produce long-lasting relationships between not only the group and the students themselves, but also to the communities that they serve in,” said Vollano.
This year, the CCE is offering five trips which focus on issues unique to that location. Over spring break, students will venture to Bel Aire, Maryland. and Lorado, Texas, where they will build houses with Habitat for Humanity, to New York, New York to focus on the LGBTQ+ community, New Orleans, Louisiana to focus on racial justice and to the Prince Williams Forest in Virginia working on environmental issues.
These locations were picked, according to Vollano, because of student interests and educational opportunities. While staff advisers assist with logistics, student leaders primarily run the trips.
Sophomore Kerry Matthews will serve as one of this year’s ASB leaders on the trip to Lorado, Texas after participating in last year’s trip to Prince Williams Forest.
“I am grateful to have been a part of such an amazing team. We had so many laughs together, but most importantly we supported each other the whole trip,” Matthews said. “Words of encouragement and praise were constantly being said. And the support continued even after we returned to campus.”
Matthews expressed her excitement for this year’s trip and encouraged other students to apply.
“I am looking forward to meeting new people, learning about different communities and contributing to something meaningful,” Matthews said. “ASB is an amazing opportunity for students to make a positive impact on a community and gain valuable experiences.”
Applications for ASB are open until Oct. 6. Students can apply through the Suffolk Impact website or through the link on the CCE’s In stagram, @suffolkcce.
