Alternative Fall
Break is right around the corner and although this year’s participants have
already been chosen, the Center for Civic Engagement would like to take some
time to share with the rest of the campus just how important the Alternative
Breaks Programs are!
Last year was
the first year of the Alternative Fall Break program. Eleven students joined
together for four days of working with one of our community partners, The
Children’s Study Home, which is an organization dedicated to caring for and
improving the lives of at-risk children.
“I remember the
first day of Fall Break last year perfectly! One of the little boys at The
Cottage took me to the side and actually taught me how to throw a football,”
Senior Kat Abrego recalls. “It wasn’t just by taking the ball and throwing it,
he put the ball in my hands and showed me the right way.”
Participating in
Fall Break is an experience that is not only rewarding for the members of the
community, but for the participants as well.
“As Western New
England students, this is our home. We should get involved and help out the
community. Alternative Fall Break is only a few days and you can make such a
huge impact on the lives of the people you help. It’s also a great opportunity
to meet other students on campus,” Senior Shawnna Hall-Enoch says.
This year, the
Alternative Fall Break Program has decided to expand and offer three different
service opportunities, ultimately allowing for more students to be involved in
the program.
The three
different opportunities include: The Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity,
The Children’s Study Home, and issues of Food Security here in Springfield.
Those participating in the Food Security portion of the trip will be working
with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, Gardening the Community and New
Lands Farm.
“We decided to
do more than just one ‘trip’ this year because we wanted more students to be
involved. And, we have all of these community partners who are always looking to build partnerships with students to meet the needs of Springfield residents,” says Assistant Director of the Center for Civic Engagement,
Koni Denham.
Students have
responded in a positive manner to the multiple trips being offered, as there
were an outstanding thirty-two applicants for this year’s Alternative Fall
Break Program.
“Having the
option to choose which trip you want to be a part of makes for happier students,
because they can choose an organization they are really passionate about – which
is always a good thing,” says Hall-Enoch.
If you missed
the opportunity to be a part of the Alternative Fall Break Program, don’t
worry! The Center for Civic Engagement offers a multitude of opportunities to
tutor within the Springfield community, and sometimes the Springfield community
even comes to campus to be tutored! The Center also offers the Alternative
Spring Break Program - applications are due Friday, October 25, 2013.
For
more information about tutoring or any service opportunities on or off campus,
don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter (@WNECCE), or search us on Facebook (WNE Center for Civic Engagement). You can also drop by our office on the second floor of the St. Germain Campus Center or contact Koni
Denham (koni.denham@wne.edu) at any
time.
