Over spring break, Alec, Marisa, Max, and Zunara had the opportunity to serve domestically and internationally as Learning Partners for GW’s Alternative Service Breaks program, with issues ranging from disaster relief and sustainability, to animal rights and homelessness. Below are reflections about their unique and transformative service experience:
ALEC - New Orleans, Lousiana
I had the pleasure of serving as a Learning Partner for the Alternative Spring Break to New Orleans. The focus of the trip was to learn from, and provide continued support to, the communities still recovering from the tragedies associated with Hurricane Katrina in 2005. I served alongside 45 amazing GW students, working with Habitat for Humanity on a pair of houses in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. On site, our team made significant progress siding, flooring, and painting the houses. We also had the chance to serve alongside Habitat and AmeriCorps coordinators, students from other universities, and the soon-to-be residents of the homes.
While in New Orleans, our group also had the chance to serve at The Green Project, which recycles paint and other household goods that might otherwise pollute the environment. We learned about the history of the Lower 9th Ward from a local advocate, and they experienced the culture of the city through music, food, and exploration. The trip was a tremendous experience that broadened my experience with service while learning firsthand about issues related to my academic focus, including emergency response, community development, and equity in public policy.
MARISA - Costa Rica
I had the privilege to be the Learning Partner for the Alternative Spring Break to Costa Rica. my group of 14 partnered with Green Communities, a community-based organization that focuses on sustainable development. Upon arrival in Costa Rica, we traveled to the region of Los Santos, which is known for its beautiful mountains, cool climate, and coffee production. For many of the local farmers, coffee is the main crop and their primary source of income. Green Communities’ encourages the importance of sustainable agriculture in order to preserve the land and engage in more responsible ecological practices.
Our main projects included helping the Green Communities staff in transforming traditional coffee plantations into ecological ones and building ecological bricks (stuffing plastic bottles with other disposable plastic and using them as bricks). We also had the opportunity to engage in many activities with the local community such as: learning how to cook a traditional Costa Rican meal, a soccer match against the locals, having lunch and engaging in conversations throughout the week with local families, etc.
My first foray with the Alternative Service Breaks program was a truly an amazing experience. Some of the students had gone on “Alt breaks” before and others had not, but everyone had great attitudes and impressive reflections about sustainability, environmental changes, and volunteering. We truly bonded with each other and carried this friendly and lively spirit throughout their whole journey. I am very thankful for the experience we shared. My first Alt Breaks’ trip was unforgettable and will go down as one of my most special PAF memories.
MAX - Kanab, Utah
I joined the Alternative Spring Break to Utah as a Learning Partner. I went with 11 undergraduates to Kanab, Utah to engage in animal advocacy work at the Best Friends Animal Society. The service trip lasted a week, and while at Best Friends, we worked to socialize animals, cleaned up animal housing areas, and learned about breed discrimination (specifically for Pitbulls) and the TNR (Trap Neuter and Release) method for slowing feral cat population growth.
The week was filled with meaningful reflection amongst us as we discussed the numerous service and educational experiences that occurred throughout the week. We also explored the Kanab area, Zion National Park, and the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. And throughout the week, we challenged ourselves to go vegetarian/vegan to increase our own personal awareness of animal products in our diet. Needless to say, there were many delicious “family” dinners and lots of fun had in Utah over spring break.
ZUNARA - New York City, NY
I was fortunate to continue my involvement with GW’s Alternative Service Breaks program as a Learning Partner for the Alternative Spring Break to New York City. Caught in a blizzard and the lowest temperatures of the year so far for the city, we jokingly dubbed our trip “ASB Antarctica.” The frigid conditions reminded us pointedly, however, of the living conditions for the homeless individuals we served via the Food Bank for New York City and New Alternatives, a nonprofit set up to assist homeless LGBTQ youth.
We began our week as observers of a protest set up outside New York Governor Cuomo’s office by affordable housing advocates of the state. We had several conversations following the protest with those in attendance - community leaders, advocates, and members of the community experiencing homelessness. We learned that at least 88,000 individuals in the state go without shelter - the highest of any state in the country. The protest also set a powerful tone for the week’s remainder about representation, voice, and integration for persons experiencing homelessness. During tours by community leaders in New York, we also learned about additional ways housing advocates engage the political process: via “squatting” or as critical voices against the displacement forces of gentrification.
In our humble roles as listeners, observers, and volunteers, we noticed several outlets to experience community. The Food Bank and New Alternatives provided material support and also communal refuge, with warmth, security, belonging, and the forgotten right to have one’s dignity and presence affirmed. Throughout all of this, I was continually moved by and grateful to those whom we met at the Food Bank and New Alternatives for sharing their stories and struggles with us, and for allowing us to briefly take part in their community.