Alternative Breaks Past Trips

Spring 2022

• Environmental Sustainability | O'ahu, Hawaii | $1350
• Health and Food Insecurity | San Francisco, California | $750
• Native American Issues and Youth | Sioux Reservation, South Dakota | $585
• Local Youth and Civil Rights | SLC & Ogden | $50
• Environmental Sustainability | Fort Worth, Texas | $350 (SSS Supported Trip)

Spring 2021

The Alternative Alternative Break (The Covid-19 Adaptation)

• Local Community Service Opportunity
• Ogden & Salt Lake City, UT
• Participant fee: $50

Trip Information: Volunteer locally! This Alternative Spring break opportunity consists of volunteering for two days (Thursday, March 11th- Friday, March 12th) in our local communities of Ogden and SLC. There will be no overnight lodging with this local AB opportunity. Groups of 10 students will be working with a variety of community partners all focusing on the social term access; which covers access to food/home security, health, addiction help, transportation, etc. Volunteering in different shifts and switching after a certain time will occur each day for a well-rounded experience. Related expenses during service include meals and service/activity fees. Keeping this engagement opportunity local will create an opportunity to participate in an Alternative Break if you haven't been able to before.  20 current WSU students will be selected to participate in this trip. Applications submitted by midnight on January 5th, 2021, will be given first priority consideration. Applicant interviews, done virtually through Zoom or Google Meet, may be necessary by appointment. Meetings: All selected participants are required to attend 2 logistics meetings prior to the trip, the dates are TBD. Participants will be given the dates upon trip acceptance. Participants will also be required to attend the alternative breaks reorientation banquet in April.

Spring 2020

Disaster Recovery

• Disaster Recovery after Hurricanes Florence and Dorian Dover, North Carolina
• Participant fee: $1700
• Trip Leader: Hunter Evans Advisors Gail Niklason and Tashina Barber

Trip Description: Hurricane Florence forced many people in the state of North Carolina to leave their homes due to flooding and other damage. In partnership with the National Relief Network, volunteers will rebuild homes and help with flood damage to allow as many families as possible to get back into their homes. Cultural activities include; a ferry ride to Shackleford Banks to see wild Spanish ponies and dolphins, a visit to Fort Macon, and lunch at Atlantic beach.

Neighborhood Revitalization

• New Orleans, LA
• Participant fee: $1170
• Trip Leader: Jenna Thoits
• Advisors: Brittni Strickland & Leah Murray

Trip Description: Before and after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans had issues regarding blight, affordable housing, and homelessness. Since Katina, the issue has only gotten worse. There are many issues related to housing and homelessness that still persist in different neighborhoods throughout the city. Working on housing and homelessness is not only a great way to help New Orleans rebuild but also an important way to learn about the history of New Orleans and the impact of Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers will be helping with housing damage, homelessness, neighborhood beautification, manual labor cleaning, and clearing debris. Cultural activities include: Walking history tour of New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina Exhibit visit, a plantation tour, and free time in the French Quarter.

Health and Resource Assistance

• Las Canas, Dominican Republic
• Participant fee: $1670
• Trip Leader: Ali Horsfall
• Advisors: Juancarlos Santisteban & Nancy Collinwood

Trip Description: Collaborate with local doctors and professionals to organize local medical brigades that bring medical access directly to the people. Volunteers will focus on improving health outcomes by creating healthy physical and social environments by incorporating methods such as bottle house construction. These volunteer efforts will provide personal security to families in very poor housing conditions and minimize waste. Cultural activities include: snorkeling in Sosua, interacting with local community members through immersive activities and projects, and learning about the history that has shaped the relationship between Dominican and Haitians of Hispaniola.

Fiji

• Participant fee: $600 (airfare not included)

Trip Description: Install a new roof on a local high school damaged from Cyclone Winston in 2016. Build bathrooms in the women's co-op structure. Build lockable storage closet & charging station for laptops.

Community Research

• Washington D.C.
• Participant fee: $1250
• Trip Leader: Kailee Brown
• Advisor: Heather Chapman

This is a research-focused trip where volunteers will gain research experience through a community-based organization.

Poverty

• Washington D.C. (This trip is for SSS students only)
• Advisors: Amanda Nielsen

Participants will focus on the issues of Washington D.C. poverty throughout the trip.