All K-State undergraduate and graduate students are invited to apply for the spring 2022 Alternative Breaks, a program hosted by the Staley School of Leadership Studies. Alternative Breaks are local community projects focused on service-learning that are typically offered during K-State’s spring break and winter break. Participants learn about social issues through service with communities and nonprofit organizations.
Alternative Breaks allow students to gain hands-on experience working within communities. Participants will be challenged to prepare, act, reflect, and evaluate your service experience. This approach to service is more than volunteering, it allows participants to better understand community impact and practice leadership.
Upcoming spring break trips will take place March 14-17, 2022. Applications are due Feb. 14 at 11:59 p.m.
Allen County, Kansas
Help rural community members discover and leverage assets of their communities. You will engage with Thrive staff and Allen county community members in organizing community events, cleaning up public trails and parks, and meeting with local constituents and county officials to help rebuild “The Heart of Allen County.”
Kansas City, Missouri
Evaluate the root causes of homelessness and the various programs for relief in Kansas City, Missouri. You will work alongside staff at Hope Faith Ministries preparing and serving meals, organizing supplies, and connecting with clients. Your team will also serve with relief-based nonprofit organizations providing resources in the Greater Kansas City area.
Springfield, Missouri
Learn about programs designed to increase environmental sustainability in Springfield. You will engage in service with a variety of organizations to gain a holistic understanding of how sustainability encompasses elements of energy usage, food production, and conservation.
“Through Alternative Breaks, students learn about systems and diverse challenges. This experience is meaningful to students from all majors and programs, hoping to go into diverse career fields.” Kaitlin Long, program director.
Gracyn Higley, past participant of Alternative Breaks, had this to say about her experience: “Our student team, each of us with different majors and backgrounds, grew our leadership skills by learning from each other. We gained a more holistic understanding of how sustainability efforts impact our world.”
To learn more, visit www.ksu.edu/leadership/studentsuccess/altbreaks.
