The Saginaw Valley State University Alternative Breaks RSO hosted an information night for students on Jan. 10 in the Student Life Center Program Room to answer questions and explain the organization’s purpose.
Alternative Breaks provides students with a different way to spend winter and spring breaks while gaining valuable insight, experience and helping others along the way.
Putting a spin on traditional break activities, the drug and alcohol-free program teaches students about social issues before they embark on service missions related to these issues.
This year, the issues that students can choose to focus on include healthcare, supporting individuals with special needs, poverty and animal care and rescue.
According to the SVSU Alternative Breaks RSO page, the group’s mission is “to encourage students to broaden their perspectives through exposure to new communities, direct service and reflection.”
As the organization celebrates its 16th year on campus, its members continue to consistently complete 12 service project breaks a year, usually seven during winter break and five in the spring.
During the 2022 winter break, students completed several service projects including a collaboration with Project C.U.R.E.
Students involved in this project traveled to Woodbridge, Illinois.
While there, Alternative Breaks participants worked to help package and ship healthcare supplies to hospitals in need while learning how to advocate for the increased accessibility of these products.
During another break held this winter, a group of students helped with the issue of community engagement while working with Camp Restore Detroit.
In this project, students assisted with community beautification tasks including trash pickup, painting homes and even decorating for Christmas.
Although the deadline has passed for students to register for a service mission this spring break, there are still other ways to get involved with Alternative Breaks.
Students can visit the RSO’s social media accounts for more information on the organization, or, email the organization directly at svsualternativebreaks@gmail.com
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