Student volunteer organization wins national award

ALLENDALE, Mich. — For many, the concept of a college spring break elicits images of sunny beaches and carefree days. But for an increasing number of Grand Valley State University students, time off from school means time to help others.

Grand Valley's Alternative Breaks program was named the best in the country at the national Break Away Conference in July. This student organization sends hundreds of GVSU students around the country to volunteer over weekend, holiday, and spring breaks each year. Some 250 students participated in Alternative Breaks during the 2007-08 school year.

Last year, the program sent out the largest number of trips in its history — 25 in total. Each trip consists of two site leaders and up to 10 participants. Participants traveled all over the country and worked on a variety of issues, including community health, affordable housing, animal rights, youth and poverty and individuals with special needs. The trips are based around these social issues, not geographic locations. The locations are kept secret until after participants have been placed. The destination is unveiled during orientation.

For the past two years, Grand Valley’s Alternative Breaks has partnered with Family Services of South Texas. GVSU students helped out at a shelter for women and children. They painted, organized rooms and closets, and helped the shelter get caught up on filing and paperwork.

“While the projects they accomplish during their trips are impressive, the thing that impresses me even more about Grand Valley’s program is the attitude with which they accomplish the tasks,” said Alison Howell, of Family Services of Southeast Texas. “I have never met a more respectful, caring group of young people.”

Valerie Jones, assistant director of Student Life at Grand Valley, said: “This recognition is a true testament to the tremendous dedication and focused passion of the executive board members; we are proud that our program is now considered a model program for other colleges and universities and look forward to helping other alternative break programs develop.” 

Jones added the program is good for the students and the communities they help. “Not only are the communities in which they are volunteering across the U.S. positively affected, we know that the students who participate are forever changed in how they view their role in society; transforming from just a member of society to an engaged citizen who is knowledgeable about social issues with a passion to take action to improve their communities,” she said.

One of the student organizers said her experience was life-changing. “My personal experience with Alternative Breaks has broadened my understanding of social and environmental issues that challenge our country,” said Chanell Murphy, the student coordinator for Alternative Breaks. “Alternative Breaks has encouraged me to take the next step and become an active citizen. The valuable lessons I have learned while working with these issues has expanded my knowledge of the world and the great people in it. It has been an honor to work with other dedicated students and organizations around the United States to make the world a better place.”

Alternative Breaks is a student-run organization. For more information, visit www.gvsualternativebreaks.com.