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Staff Learning Partner: Amanda Anthony, Assistant Director of Financial AidĮleven SU students went to California during spring break to focus on food justice issues in the Oakland area. It’s much different than reading about it in a book or hearing a lecture in class.” Overview of the SU Spring Breakaway 2018 ExperiencesĬommunity Partners: Alameda County Community Food Bank, Food Shift Spring Breakaway Student Director Veronica Espinosa says, “When you see these complex social justice issues in real life, you see how it connects to the community.
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They have a passion for social justice issues and work tirelessly to not only help the communities they visit, but also to develop the compassion and skills to create change and better their own communities back home. The students that participate in Spring Breakaway are extremely dedicated and hard workers. Southwestern Spring Breakaway Experiences 2018
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Preparing and training beforehand also allows the students to get to know each other and build relationships prior to leaving, which can enhance the team experience. For example, one group participated in several local Habitat for Humanity building events in order to practice the skills needed to work on houses in New Orleans’ Lower 9th Ward. The site leaders also provide training on both hard and soft skills. Each group has a student site leader who oversees its program, securing the community partners and coordinating the logistics and details. Spring Breakaway students prepare for an entire year leading up to the event.
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Spring breakaway full#
Components of a quality alternative break include strong direct service, full engagement, diversity and social justice, orientation, education, training, reflection and reorientation.” Southwestern’s program encompasses all of these components, and strives to provide students a solid experience that lays the foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship where they prioritize the community in their values and life choices. Nikki Welch, Coordinator of Community-Engaged Learning and advisor for Spring Breakaway, describes the program as a “life-changing learning opportunity with the ultimate goal for students to engage and develop into active citizens. Another headed to Houston to learn about refugee resettlement in the wake of disaster, and the third went to New Orleans to focus on sustainability and long-term disaster recovery. One of SU’s groups went to Oakland, Cali., to focus on food justice. Students have the opportunity to go into communities and work side-by-side with local programs and residents in their environments. It’s designed to get students off campus and participating in direct service while focusing on complex social justice issues. Last month, three different groups of students participated in SU’s Spring Breakaway program, which focuses on community engagement, diversity, education, social justice, and spirituality. But for many SU students, spring break is an opportunity to engage in community service and gain firsthand experience with important social justice issues. For some college students, that means a trip to the beach or a week on the ski slopes. Spring break is a time for students to take a break from their studies and recharge. “Break away from apathy, contribute to shared humanity.”