St. Edward's University Students Attend Alternative Spring Break

Instead of diving into South Padre or Cancun, 70 St. Edward’s University undergraduate students will dive into complex social and cultural issues this week by participating in Alternative Spring Break, a service program provided by Campus Ministry. Students will travel to Arizona, Chicago, Denver, Kentucky, Mississippi, New York City and Texas to have the opportunity to make an impact and engage in new experiences.

In the Holy Cross tradition of service at St. Edward’s University, the hope is that students are transformed by this experience, becoming agents of change in the world.

“Alternative Spring Break is so much more than a volunteering opportunity,” says Jessica Nortman, student leader of the Urban Immersion in Chicago. “It is more like being a servant and immersing yourself in an experience while engaging a purpose.”

Andre House: Phoenix, Arizona
André House is inspired by and named after Holy Cross Brother André Bessette, provides directs services for the homeless. Among the opportunities at André House, students assist in the soup kitchen, sort and distribute clothing items, provide laundry services.

Border Experience: El Paso, Texas
Students are exposed to a border experience to increase their understanding of immigration issues. Through this experience, participants will be in solidarity with the migrants of Mexico while working with local organizations that provide housing and assistance to recent migrants.

Glenmary Farm: Vanceburg, Kentucky
Glenmary Farm is dedicated to serving the needs of the people throughout Appalachia and the poverty stricken rural south. Students are immersed with students from other universities performing manual labor and home repairs and renovations. Participants also visit a health center, to socialize with developmentally disabled adults, and live in simplicity on the farm.

Habitat for Humanity of the Mississippi Gulf Coast: Biloxi, Mississippi
Students work to rebuild the Gulf Coast after the destruction of Katrina and by providing housing to a family in need. Participants work with other Hurricane Katrina Relief workers, to assist in building and/or demolition projects and get a sense of what life is like “after the storm.”

Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School: New York City, N.Y.
Participants work closely with the Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School to provide service to new immigrant young adults through education. Manhattan Comprehensive Night and Day High School offers education diverse and nontraditional students, between the ages of 17 and 21 with over 90 percent of their seniors graduate-one of New York City’s highest rates.

Urban Immersion: Chicago, Ill.
Immersed students will explore issues of urban poverty, justice and the reality of oppression. According to the Heartland Alliance, 936,259 people or 11.3% of the Chicago area’s population is living in poverty. Through various service partnerships with local agencies, participants work on extreme urban poverty, homelessness, racism, and diversity issues.

White Mountain Apache Tribe: Whiteriver, Arizona
The Fort Apache Reservation located in east-central Arizona boasts some of the richest habitats in the region. In coordination with St. Francis Catholic Church, Students will explore areas of Native American life, volunteering in a number of community programs and participating in traditional celebrations including a sweat lodge.

Learn more about Alternative Spring Break.