Alternative Spring Break: Making Spring Break Matter

Buffalo State junior Jasmine Milton loved how she spent her 2011 spring break so much that she is encouraging other students to join her this year.

Milton wasn’t relaxing on beach as many college students do during the delicious days of spring break. But she was having a great time renovating houses and giving a glimmer of hope to Buffalo residents living in poverty. She was one of 10 students who participated in the Alternative Spring Break (ASB) in Buffalo coordinated by the Volunteer and Service-Learning Center (VSLC). Another group spent a week helping impoverished neighborhoods in Cleveland, Ohio.

“I wanted to get a better feel for the community here,” said Milton, who hails from Brooklyn. “But I didn’t realize what a great experience (ASB) was until I did it.”

ASB provides a drug- and alcohol-free opportunity for students to get to know fellow classmates while also learning practical skills, such as how to erect drywall, and life skills such as team building.

Milton, who serves as co-chair for ASB, spoke to a roomful of potential participants on campus Monday, about two opportunities to help struggling communities during spring break. The first is in Buffalo March 16-20, when students will be paired with Westside Ministries to fix up dilapidated houses and work in a soup kitchen. During that time, the students will stay together at First United Methodist Church in downtown Buffalo.

The second ASB site is in Baltimore, Maryland, and runs March 18-24  Students will stay at St. William of York Catholic Church and work with the Sixth Branch, a non-profit organization led by military veterans who work to rebuild neighborhoods, and Catholic Charities. During their downtime, students can participate in arranged sightseeing trips as a group.

Milton plans to participate in the Baltimore trip this year. They will be taking a van there driven by Maureen McCarthy, who also is serving as the staff chaperone.

James Hall, a 31-year-old transfer student who spent eight years in the military prior to college, is considering the Baltimore trip because he said he wants to give back.

“It’s one thing to go class,” he said. “It shows integrity and character to go beyond that.”

The application deadline for ASB is Wednesday, February 8, which includes a $30 deposit. Space is limited, so the VSLC staff encourages students to sign up soon.

The cost for the Buffalo trip is $60; the Baltimore trip costs $100-$150. Fees cover transportation, housing, meals, supplies, and recreational activities. Students who need financial help can sell candy bars provided by the VSLC to offset the costs.

For more information, call 878-5811, or go to the VSLC website.