Winter break involves partaking in holiday celebrations, spending time with family and friends and, for some SVSU students, volunteering.
Alternative Breaks, a program coordinated by Student Life, has been providing SVSU students with volunteer opportunities during academic breaks for the last 20 years.
Associate Director of Student Life Jason Schoenmeyer said the goal of Alternative Breaks is to connect students’ volunteer efforts with real world issues.
Supported by the nonprofit organization Break Away, SVSU’s Alternative Breaks promotes active citizenship by matching students to service trips focused on particular social issues. These include issues related to homelessness, environmental stewardship, access to affordable housing and disaster relief and recovery.
“If you have passion for something, you can apply for that trip and get connected with people who are equally passionate about that issue,” Schoenmeyer said. “Being in a group with people like that can be pretty powerful.”
During the past winter break, Alternative Breaks offered students six volunteering opportunities.
These included a housing development project in Arizona, a large animal rescue habitat and a Ronald McDonald housing program in Florida and a refugee aid program in Utah.
Fourth year economics major Nicole Calandrino was one of the students who participated in the refugee aid program.
“We worked with the International Rescue Committee which is an international volunteer organization … helps refugees settle into other countries,” Calandrino said.
According to Calandrino, the United States houses nearly 80 percent of the world’s refugees.
Her group helped the refugees get settled in their new homes and also got involved in a Christmas program that provided gifts for their families.
“I wanted to use my time in a better way than just going home over break,” Calandrino said. “I expected to volunteer and learn a lot more about what a refugee is. It was even better than I expected.”
Calandrino emphasized the strong bond she developed with other SVSU students as they were all interested in the issue and collaborated well with the regular committee staff.
“They never made us feel like we were a bother and everyone was really passionate about what we were doing,” Calandrino said. “The worst part was finding mice in our first hotel, but SVSU worked it out and we didn’t even have to stay there one night. It was a really great environment.”
Schoenmeyer said the trips are impressive on a resume or as a talking point in an interview.
“Many students have never flown before. Alternative Breaks gives them a totally different cultural and travel experience,” Schoenmeyer said. “And on the personal side, I’ve seen so many [students who have participated in the program] have reunions after their trip or become roommates. The friendships are pretty amazing.”
Applications for the spring break trips are open now until Jan. 22. They are available on the Alternative Breaks portal on OrgSync.
Schoenmeyer encouraged students to not let a financial concern get in the way of their participation.
“This program is supported all the way up to the president of the university and it’s really affordable,” he said. “There are lots of ways to take down financial barriers if students are interested.”
Calandrino echoed Schoenmeyer’s sentiments.
“It’s easy to get wrapped up in exams and classes,” Calandrino said. “A trip like this forces you outside that college bubble. It’s definitely something to put on your bucket list before leaving college.”
