Alternative Spring Break (ASB) programs (also know as Alternative Break) are becoming a trend at the nation’s colleges and universities, enabling students to dedicate their spring break to community service projects. These programs help facilitate transportation to destinations that desperately need assistance from volunteers. Students work with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, and in issue areas such as education, hunger, disabilities, animal rescue and the environment.

As a coordinator for the ASB program at Boston University I work with 77 other student leaders and over 300 volunteers to plan over 30 trips this year. The trip that I am leading this Spring will be working with Project Open Hand, an organization that provides meal and nutrition services to people suffering from chronic illnesses. We leave tomorrow morning for Atlanta and I cannot wait to work with and support the Atlanta community!

Service trips can make a huge impact on your life, trust me, I have gone on six. Through the Alternative Spring Break program at BU, I’ve made friends, had fun, explored a new city and helped people in need. I suggest that anyone who is interested do some research and learn about the opportunities that their school offers. Some of the colleges and universities offering Alternative Spring Break include:

• American University
• Colorado University
• Georgetown University (CSJ)
• Mercyhurst College (The Office of Service Learning)
• Suffolk University (S.O.U.L.S.)
• Trinity University
• UMASS Amherst (UMass Civic Interfaith Alliance)
• University of North Alabama
• University of Vermont
• And many, many more…

Many fellow college students will be making a difference in the world and their communities. What are you up to this Spring Break?