UD Alternative Breaks participants worked with Habitat for Humanity in Vineland, New Jersey, last year.

Alternative Breaks applications

2015 spring break issue areas and locations announced, information sessions set

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9:07 a.m., Sept. 17, 2014--The University of Delaware Alternative Spring Breaks (UDaB) has determined site issues and locations for the trips taking place during the 2015 spring break and applications are now being accepted.

Information sessions for UDaB will be held Thursday, Sept. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in 204 Gore Hall; Sunday, Sept. 21, at 3 p.m. in 125 Alfred Lerner Hall; Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7:30 p.m. in 204 Gore Hall; and Sunday, Sept. 28, at noon in 125 Alfred Lerner Hall. 

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In its founding year of 2010, UDaB sent out five trips. The continued success and growth of the program has been dramatic and this year UDaB will more than double that number and send out 11 trips in only its fourth year. 

UDaB will again collaborate with the Honors Program (Migration in the Dominican Republic, led by Carrie Ruppert and Eric Wiscount), Blue Hen Leadership Program (Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina, led by Matt Bogdan and Kyle Ducharme) and the School of Nursing (Health in Jamaica, led by Kathleen Luckner, Amanda Hansen, Mary Kate Griffin and Annie Rudolphi) this year.

Applications for these trips will be through the UDaB application, but interviews will be scheduled by the programs themselves. In addition, UDaB has partnered with all of these organizations and the Residence Life and Housing trip in the training of site leaders.

The 11 trips for UDaB 2015 are:

  • Affordable Housing, Habitat for Humanity, Vineland, New Jersey.Led by Vamsi Matta and Brian Griffiths, participants will work to build affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity by helping to build a new house or volunteering on other residential projects.
  • Rural Housing, Appalachia Service Project, Guyan Valley, West Virginia. Led by Kelly Daniels and Patrick Biche, participants will partner with the Appalachia Service project in rural West Virginia to repair homes for low-income families. 
  • Wildlife Sanctuary, Forest Animal Rescue, Silver Springs, Florida. Led by Guido Iammatteo, Carter McKennon and Steph Naglak, UDaB will work with a wildlife sanctuary called Forest Animal Rescue for the first time. Participants will assist with the construction and maintenance of animal habitats for non-releasable wild animals.
  • Urban Environment, Urban Tree Connection, Philadelphia. Led by Michael Karavolias and Des Pinto, UDaB is returning to Philadelphia for the second year in a row. At Urban Tree Connection, volunteers will assist urban, low­income communities revitalize their neighborhoods by transforming abandoned open spaces into safe and functional places.
  • Early Literacy, Bright Beginnings, Washington, D.C. Deirdre McAndrew and Joanna Eliasof will lead the trip that partners with Bright Beginnings for the fourth time. Participants will assist in the classroom by creating and helping to teach themed lesson plans and supporting other tasks as needed.
  • Rural Environment, Once Upon a Time Breakaway, Maryville, Tennessee. Patrick Witterschein and Mackenzie Rowe will head to Tennessee to partner with an organization called Once Upon a Time for the first time. Activities may include the removal of invasive species, trail restoration, tree planting, creek cleanup and a community project to connect with the local Cherokee community.
  • Trail Development, Cumberland Trail Conference, Crossville, Tennessee. Led by Ashley Bostwick and Tommy Mandala, this trip will work on trail development in Tennessee. Volunteers will participate in trail building/maintenance and help in the continuation of the trail project.
  • Health Disparities, The Medici Project, Atlanta. Praneeja Matta and Sean Considine will lead a trip to Georgia to partner with The Medici Project. Participants will be serving in an array of health related organizations and nonprofits dealing with HIV issues, human trafficking, medical supplies and other needs.
  • Rebuilding NOLA, National Relief Network, New Orleans area. Gizelle Pendang, Ryan Bryson and Micaela Bernardo will partner with National Relief Network as they continue the important work of rebuilding the NOLA area. Volunteers will work on deconstructing homes in communities that have been affected by natural disasters.
  • Community Building Florida, National Relief Network, Leesburg, Florida. Kevin Lapham, Carisse Hamlet and Chris Monaghan are leading the trip that will return to Florida to partner with the National Relief Network. Volunteers will work to assist elderly and impoverished families to repair home and rebuild communities.
  • Urban Poverty. This trip will be led by Jada Greig and Katy Super and will go to an urban area, but the exact location and community partner is still unknown.

The application period for these trips is open now and closes Monday, Oct. 13, at 5pm.

More information about UDaB, the trips and issue areas, and the link to the application can be found at the University’s Service Learning website. Check for updates on Facebook and follow @udabreaks on Twitter and Instagram.

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