Contact Jennifer Halford for more information on events and other resources sponsored by the Office of Community Service.
Be part of the ASB craze and learn firsthand why college students are opting for an Alternative Spring Break. These trips send students to other cities and states to engage in daily volunteer projects and social issue awareness. Through service, participants are able to experience, discuss, and understand social issues while learning how to become active citizens in their own communities.
This year, Alternative Spring Breaks will be offering six different trips around the country. More information will be given at a later date. Also, please note that the dates of each specific trip have yet to be announced, but be assured that the dates of the trip will be scheduled sometime within the dates of March 9-17 and each trip will be between 6-7 days in length.
"Away From Home"
Do you want to leave someone with enjoyable memories that will last a lifetime? Are you interested in helping people with disabilities on your spring break? If so, then this Alternative Spring Break trip is just for you! The goal for this trip is to make a safe and comfortable environment for campers to participate in activities they usually don’t have an opportunity to at home. The goal is to work with the person’s ability to remove any barriers they may face to create a more positive experience. Children and adults, ranging from 6 to 26 years old, will be participating in activities such as sports & recreation, creative arts, challenge courses, waterfront activities, horseback riding, picnics, and more. As a volunteer, you will be participating in these activities with them! You will also participate in work projects to prepare for the campers arrival such as organic gardening and facility maintenance improvements. Don’t miss out on this amazing trip!
"Breaking the Stigma"
This trip will bring awareness and understanding to the issues surrounding HIV/AIDS in an area outside of Indianapolis. This trip works to allow IUPUI students to experience a service-based educational trip that focuses on the work that helps to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS. This trip will also work to reduce the stigma around HIV/AIDS, as well as educate and motivate the participants of the trip to make a change against the stereotypes of HIV/AIDS.
Global Problems, Local Solutions: Our Modern Day Food System
Have you ever thought about where that meal on your plate comes from? How was it created, what were the animals being fed and how were they being treated? Every minute in the United States, two acres of farmland is paved for development projects, but as the world’s demand for food and water rises, our production facilities become more concentrated and unsafe, creating greater insecurity. These global food production systems affect our environment, our health, our animals, our farmers, our economic system, and our lives. This trip will focus specifically on sustainable farming initiatives on the local scale as well as the rescue and rehabilitation of animals from the global food system. Projects will include working with a full range of farm animals ranging from cows, goats, and llamas, to ducks, rabbits, and dogs. Other projects include cleaning and construction projects and working to distribute sustainable food products to the local community in need. Participants of all skill levels and experience are welcome to join as we learn together about the truth behind the products on our grocery store shelves.
Hunger Relief through Hope and Strength
Do you want to save some money this spring break while making a difference in people’s lives? Sign up to engage in side-by-side work with urban change-makers in the urban environment field, while gaining a hands-on knowledge of the joys and challenges of mission in an inner city setting. This trip is designed to educate you on the social issues of hunger, homelessness, and urban poverty through service and reflection. Service will range from preparing and serving food in soup kitchens, to assisting in food pantries, and volunteering at service sites. This trip is ideal for anyone looking to learn more about the complexities of inner-city homelessness while impacting people’s lives in the community.
Rebuilding Homes and Lives
Utilize your Alternate Spring Break to bring a new light in the lives of people. Join us, as we volunteer to build homes and other construction to help people and communities affected by natural disasters. We will be focusing on rebuilding homes for senior citizens, people with disabilities and families with children who cannot afford to build their homes. This is a great opportunity to meet new people and develop skills such as teamwork, leadership and awareness. This is going to be an experience than just another spring break trip, so get involved with the community and help it prosper.
Violence Ended. Families Mended.
By the time you finish filling out this application, forty women will have been assaulted or beaten by their partners in the United States. Let’s help end domestic violence this Spring Break. As a team, we will be partnering with an organization whose mission it is to work towards the elimination of domestic violence by reducing harm and its effects. We will be helping the center organize their office for a more efficient working environment. We will also be creating a program to teach young adults the impact domestic violence has on families and individuals.
Working Together to Empower Immigrant Families in Need
Love learning and working with different cultures? Want to make lasting friendships and participate in meaningful service? Join us for a week of service as we work with various activities regarding the issue of immigration. We will be doing direct and indirect service on-site as well as service in the community. Examples of on-site service include fun projects such as helping children in after school programs, assisting in classes such as English as a Second Language and Life Skills, and working with newly arrived immigrant families that need a helping hand. If you are ready for a life changing spring break, then do not hesitate to sign up!
Applications for 2014 coming soon
The applications (when available) are due with a $100 deposit. Please turn in applications and deposits to the front desk of Office of Student Involvement, located on the 3rd floor of the Campus Center, Suite 370 by 5:00 pm or return it electronically by midnight to Jarod Wilson (wilsjama@iupui.edu).
On the application, you may rank your preference of one or all seven of the trips. We will try our hardest to place you on your preferred trip, however, if that trip is filled, we will place you on your second choice (and so on). If you only have interest in one trip, place mark only that trip and do not rank the trips in order of preference. Please be aware that if you only rank one trip, you may not get it, as the applications are taken on a first come, first served basis.
Trip dates are not yet specified because of arrangements being made with volunteer sites, but be assured that the trips will only take place during the week of March 10-17 and will last roughly 5-6 days. You should not be asked to miss any classes to participate in the trips.
Previous trip locations
Staten Island, NY (2012)
Selma, AL (2012)
Trenton, NJ (2012)
Mission, SD (2012)
Eustis, FL (2012)
Elizabethtown, KY (2012)
Eustis, FL (2011)
Washington, D.C. (2011)
Nashville, TN (2011)
Selma, AL (2011)
New Orleans, LA (2011)
Jennerstown, PA (2011)
Perryville, AR (2011)
Washington, D.C. (2010)
Waveland, MS (2010)
New Orleans, LA (2010)
Cumberland Trail, TN (2010)
Eustis, FL (2010) Atlanta, GA (2009)
Cumberland Trail, TN (2009)
Kansas City, MO (2009)
Maryville, TN (2008)
Mammoth Cave National Park, KY (2008)
Frederick, MD (2008)
Atlanta, GA (2004, 2005, 2006)
Nashville, TN (2005)
Wavelend, MS (2006, 2007)
Asheville, NC (2007)
Tupelo, MS (2007)
Previous social issues addressed
Children with Terminal Illness
Beautification of communities
HIV/AIDS
Children with Disabilities
Native American Issues
Hurricane relief
Hunger and homelessness
Housing (Habitat for Humanity)
Trail-building & Environmental Stewardship
Nutritional Awareness
Youth and Poverty
WHAT IS ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK?
IUPUI Alternative Spring Break (ASB) places students in communities outside of Indianapolis to engage in community service and experimental learning during their spring break. Students perform short-term projects for community agencies and learn about issues such as urban renewal, health, literacy, poverty, racism, hunger, homelessness and the environment. Activities can include rebuilding hurricane affected towns, tutoring children, serving the homeless a hot meal, reflection, socials, and more!
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Transportation, housing, breakfasts, and lunches are usually always provided. Each participant must pay the required cash deposit, their own dinners, and money for any tourist attractions. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required at the time of the application (this can be paid in cash or check—made out to IUPUI ABSO).
WHO CAN GO ON AN ASB TRIP?
ASB trips are for any IUPUI students - undergraduate and graduate.
HOW CAN I RESERVE MY SPOT?
All students must complete an application and submit a cash deposit to secure a spot on any trip. Students must be in good standing with the university and be free from any disciplinary probation. Most trips work on a first-come, first-serve basis, and when all the spots are taken, the trip is closed. Every trip allows 1-2 spaces for alternates in case of any cancellations from participants.
WHAT IS THE TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR ASB?
ASB is a service trip and participants will be volunteering almost every day. The schedule will vary depending on the trip and the student leader. It is typical to have team meetings and/or reflection sessions daily in addition to the scheduled service work. Every trip leader tries to allow time for sightseeing, exploring, and may plan small field trips. However, the main focus is service and education, and the majority of the time will be spent volunteering.
WHY IS IT CALLED "ALTERNATIVE" SPRING BREAK?
These trips are called "Alternative" because they allow college students to participate in a more meaningful experience over vacation compared to the “stereotypical” college spring break. Alternative Breaks trips are alcohol and drug-free for all participants and focus solely on volunteering and social justice.
WHO PLANS AND LEADS THE TRIPS?
All Alternative Break trips are planned, organized, and led by IUPUI undergraduate student leaders who have been trained by Break Away. Break Away is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to train and assist campuses in quality alternative break programs that inspire civic engagement. If you are interested in being involved with this process, contact the Alternative Breaks Service Organization (ABSO) for more information.
WHAT IS A PRE-ORIENTATION MEETING?
The pre-orientation meeting is run by the student leaders who have planned the trip and it is designed to provide further information about the schedule, activities, and packing list for the trip. It is also a time for the participants to get to know each other and ask questions.
IS THE PRE-ORIENTATION MEETING MANDATORY?
The pre-orientation is a necessary part of the trip and each participant must attend one. Each trip has 2 dates for the pre-orientation meeting so please check with the student leader.
For more information, please contact the Office of Community Service at commserv@iupui.edu
IUPUI Center for Service and Learning
850 West Michigan Street | Hine Hall (IP), Room 243| Indianapolis, IN 46202 | Phone: 317-278-2662 | Fax: 317-278-7683 |
