UofL students turn to community service for 'Alternative Spring Break'

Post-trip update from Katie Mulligan:

“The Alternative Service Break (ASB) program traveled to Baltimore for six days with a group of 15 passionate undergraduate and graduate students and one staff advisor for Spring Break 2017. They performed over 200 hours of service to the Baltimore community.

Half of the group worked with the Living Classrooms Foundation, where they did art projects and played games with children in an after-school program. Kat Gries, one of two undergraduate student leaders for this ASB, used her skills and background as a student in the College of Education to plan the lessons and activities. The experience was transformative for undergraduate student Krista Mills, who changed her major from nursing to education when she returned after her service at Living Classrooms helped her realize her true passion was for children.

The other group focused their service on working with three urban farms. In between weeding, planting 2,000 seeds and cutting vines and branches despite brisk winds and snow, UofL students took part in impactful conversations about food sovereignty and the consequences of labeling areas as food deserts.

The rewarding trip transformed the students, making them even more passionate about taking active roles in our community, our country and our world.

Aliyah Gant, an accounting major, said she ‘left this trip with a rejuvenated hope in humanity, new knowledge, new ideas for Louisville service and new connections to like-minded people on campus.’”

Alternative Service Break trips, organized by UofL Student Leadership and Service in the Office of Student Involvement, are designed to facilitate service learning as well as build awareness about community issues. Each trip focuses on a theme or social issue to challenge students to think critically about root causes and the student’s role within the community. Previous ASB trips have been to communities such as Asheville, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and the Galapagos Islands.

The students are from a variety of different disciplines including education, nursing, criminal justice, biology, engineering, business and psychology.

Janet Cappiello contributed to this story, which has been updated since it was originally posted in March.