Spend your spring break making a difference, March 17–23, 2012.

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.  

Get Involved in Alternative Spring Break 2012

The Center for Leadership & Service is sponsoring 14 Alternative Spring Break trips, March 17-23, 2012. 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! 

The Trips for 2011-2012:

Disaster Relief:

 “Buildin’ in the Bayou!” –St. Bernard’s Project – New Orleans, LA 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. Cost: $250 http://www.stbernardproject.org/

“Extreme Home Makeover – UNT Edition!” – Common Ground – New Orleans, LA (limited to Greek Life) 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. Cost: $150 http://www.commongroundrelief.org/  

 Poverty:

 “No One Knows Food Like Memphis!” - Memphis Food Bank – Memphis, TN 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.  Cost: $250 http://www.midsouthfoodbank.org/

 “Homeless, not Hopeless!” – Haven for Hope – San Antonio, Tx  Give hope back to the homeless citizens of San Antonio while enjoying sites like the Riverwalk and the Alamo. When you volunteer with Haven for Hope 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. Cost: $250 http://www.havenforhope.org/new/volunteers.aspx

 “Giving with Grace !”- Grace Hill- St. Louis Missouri (Limited to UNT SERVES!)  In a city that is known for its strong culture, come and join a group that helps sustain and strengthen the community of St. Louis. Grace Hill is an organization that gives back to the community through healthcare, education, and neighborhood engagement. Volunteers will help youth in educational programs and assist this organization that provides health care and other social services.  Lodging will be provided at a church. Cost: $150   http://www.gracehill.org/ 

“Opening Doors for Homeless Youth” -Covenant House- St. Louis, Missouri 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.  Cost:  $250  http://www.covenanthousemo.org/

  “Meals on Heels” -  God’s Love We Deliver – New York, New York – God’s Love We Deliver  is the New York metropolitan area's leading provider of life-sustaining, nutritional support services for people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other serious illnesses.  Participants will help to prepare the food and then deliver it to the homes of the recipients.  Lodging will be provided by a church with some meals provided.  Students will be flying, staying at a church and utilizing the subway.  www.godslovewedeliver.org/  Cost:  $450

Animals: 

 "Puppies, and Kittens, and Eagles…Oh My!” – Colllierville Animal Shelter– Memphis, TN

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. Cost: $250 http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/collierville.html

 “Big Cats, Big Fun!” -Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge- Eureka Springs, AR

 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.   Cost: $250 http://www.turpentinecreek.org/

   Environment:

“We Mean Green Clean!” – Galveston Bay Foundation – Galveston, TX

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.  Cost: $250 http://www.galvbay.org/

   Children:

 “Fostering friendships!” – Pepper’s Ranch – Guthrie, OK

 Pepper Ranch is 160 acres filled with children seeking a safe haven from abuse or neglect. By showing care and compassion to these children you will be a part of their path to a safe and fostering home. Give these kids a new sense of hope and be a part of a great organization that rebuilds lives. Lodging will be provided on site.  Cost: $250 http://www.peppersranch.com

 “Chillin’ with the Children!” - Cherokee Nation – Tahlequah, OK 

 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.  Cost: $250 http://www.cherokee.org/

  “Kids Count!”- Operation Breakthrough- Kansas City, MO

 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. Cost: $250 http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/  

 Participant Application Due: October 26, 2011 

 Applications are closed for Alternative Spring Break 2012.  Applications will be available in September for ASB 2013.