Call for Hosts: 2014 Alternative Break Citizenship Schools

Posted by on January 06, 2014

Apply to Host the 2014 Alternative Break Citizenship Schools!

Break Away is pleased to announce a great opportunity to host a national conference at your school or organization. The Alternative Break Citizenship Schools (ABCs) combine the networking opportunities of a national conference with the personal and team growth aspects of a quality alternative break experience.  The ABCs combine workshops, service projects, community interaction, speaker panels, team building, and reflection to help staff and students synthesize knowledge and skills necessary to coordinate high-quality alternative break programs at their campuses all across the country. If you’re interested in hosting the 2014 ABCs, please complete the Host Site Proposal form and email it to breakaway@alternativebreaks.org. ABCs Host Site Proposals will be accepted through Monday, January 13, 2014.

http://www.alternativebreaks2014.org/news/?q=55697804966

In the past, we have been hosted by schools such as Villanova University, Eastern Michigan University, University of South Carolina – Upstate, Butler University, Emory University, Florida International University, George Mason University, Saginaw Valley State University, University of Utah, Vanderbilt University, Virginia Tech and Xavier University. We have also partnered with Hosteling International in Boston, Chicago, Houston, and San Francisco and with organizations like the National Park Service.

The ABCs combine the training and networking opportunities of a national conference with the personal and team growth aspects of service-learning in a unique alternative break experience. Participants at the ABCs synthesize knowledge and skills gained during workshops with the impact of learning about a systemic social issue from the local community. It is an experience like no other – combining workshops, service projects, community interaction, speaker panels, team building, and reflection – the ABCs present a unique learning experience that is truly remarkable.

If your school or organization is chosen as a host for the 2014 ABCs, you will:

• Have the opportunity to send up to four participants at no cost to your program.
• Gain meaningful media attention for your organization and community.
• Work with the Break Away staff directly – with the conference logistics and on how to draw more break groups to your organization and community.
• Gain or build local community partnerships with the agencies that we engage in direct service with throughout the week.
• Have future alternative break groups returning to your community to replicate the ABCs social issues. (After the 2013 ABCs on Regional Renewal in Metro Detroit, over 15 alternative break programs are sending students on a similar experience during the 2013-14 school year.)
• Share your organization and community with staff and students from up to 50 different colleges/universities and alternative break programs.

If you have questions about the ABCs or the proposal, feel free to contact us by phone 404-919-7482 or email.  Please submit your completed ABCs Host Site Proposal to breakaway@alternativebreaks.org no later than 5pm on Monday, January 13, 2014 at 5:00pm ET.

We can’t wait to review your proposal!

Quotes from ABCs hosts of yore:

“Hosting an Alternative Break Citizenship school is a great way to help spread the word about your mission and issue. The students come to learn how to facilitate an alternative break and arrive prepared to do service for your organization.  From the training, they have the knowledge of how to have a successful alternative break and intimate knowledge of an issue. This is a wonderful opportunity to have greater impact!”
– Todd Nelson, National Park Service, 2013

“What an amazing opportunity it was for us to host a 2012 Alternative Break Citizenship School. We had a first-hand chance to work with the amazing Break Away staff to help coordinate an experience that brought approximately 60 students and staff to the Upstate of South Carolina to provide much needed repairs to homes of the elderly, disabled, and low income in our community by working with Christmas In Action Spartanburg. The ABCs were emotional, intensive experiences for the college students that created memories that will reach far beyond the weeklong education and service work AND were just as impactful for CIA-Spartanburg – the organization was forever changed by these passionate and driven students!”
– Kara Ferguson, University of South Carolina – Upstate, 2012