Each year, students in the BHLP choose to take on meaningful experiences during their winter and spring breaks. This program is different from UD Alternative Breaks program (UDAB) in that its focus is on leadership and developing leaders through a sequential 4 tier program. Tier 1 involves an individual component in growing leadership skills, tier 2 is a group internship component, tier 3 is a community-focused internship, and tier 4 is reflective on holistic experience. Tier 1 covers workshops and experiential learning to establish a foundation for individual leadership. Tier 2 and 3 work intersectionality as they both involve engaging in project-based learning with a non-profit organization or small business in the community. Tier 4 closes with the creation of an E-portfolio reflecting on what you have accomplished and hope to accomplish in the future, along with accessibility to life skills workshops as well. You must be involved in the BHLP through the tier program in order to participate in the service trips. Matthew Creasy, a director for the program, recognizes that “change does not happen in a week”, but it goes a long way in teaching leadership skills to make a greater impact. He further characterizes the program as “social and societal” because you increase your social skills as a leader while understanding and contributing to the greater societal impact through service.

An example of a previous program is one done in winter, where BHLP worked as a partner with the RSO, People for Puerto Rico, to assist in disaster relief. Chelsea Chatterton, member of the Class of 2022 and a committed member of BHLP, commented on her experience from this Puerto Rico trip. 

“This past May (2019) I was selected to be one of the service leaders for the 2020 winter alt break program; Disaster Relief in Puerto Rico. This experience was everything I hoped it would be and more. My co-leaders and I received extensive training in group facilitation and service learning in addition to the hands-on experience we gained through setting up applications, interviews, pre-trip educational meetings, and logistics. This led to our ten day program based out of Luquillo, Puerto Rico where we worked at local homes; repainting, clearing out brush, and resealing the roofs. We also worked in local parks including the El Yunque rainforest to protect native species, clean up plastic pollution, and restore recreational spaces. Ten days have never gone by so fast. During this experience I realized how much I’d grown personally since I was a freshman. I had grown not only in my knowledge and leadership skills, but also in my own self confidence of who I am, and what I want out of life. My favorite part however, was seeing the 23 student participants experience the program and witnessing the tangible growth and confidence in them as it had in me. It was truly a full circle experience.”

Chelsea has also participated in a disaster relief project in Port Arthur, Texas, and as she looks back on that leap she took in freshman year, she reflects that 

“By the last day my journal talks about the synergy we achieved on the worksite, and I wrote; “it’s amazing to have deep intellectual discussions with people who care.” Each night we’d also sit down and discuss and reflect on our experiences that day promoting further self awareness and growth. I uncovered a deeper passion for working directly with communities to create a real positive change that I had never truly recognized before. Looking back, this experience changed me, and I left more confident in who I was, with a vision of who I wanted to be” 

Overall, Chelsea’s experience in the BHLP has been one of her favorite experiences as a student at UD.

“Looking back at 2020, I feel incredibly lucky to have had the chance to complete the winter trip. This was a fantastic week, all the participants really connected as a group and were passionate about learning and working with the community. It was incredible to see this growth happen over the course of the 10 days we were there, and how it carried over into the start of the Spring semester. Personally, the 2 programs I have been a part of were an opportunity to learn about my privilege and ways to use it ethically and respectfully serve others who don’t have those same privileges. I have learned so much from and been inspired by the local people I have had the honor to meet and work with’

If all of this information and testimonials have piqued your interest in the BHLP, here are the best ways to get involved! BHLP actively recruits throughout the fall and their website is a great outlet to get more information and stay updated on their upcoming trips. Their office is located in Trabant 157A and they have an open-door policy when campus reopens. All students are encouraged to join, including study abroad students and World Scholars, who may have certain program restrictions, because you can always get involved in the Tier 1 level.

This year, BHLP is looking at doing one trip during spring break to North Carolina for Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing public health emergency, they will not be holding a winter program this year. Other precautions and adjustments being made for this upcoming year include figuring out how to make this program work virtually with small group discussions, teaching relational leadership, and holding regularly scheduled meetings while remaining safe. In any case, the Blue Hen Leadership Program looks forward to having another successful year supporting the community and developing leaders at UD.

This blog post is written by our Division of Student Life student intern Esha Shah.