Alternative Breaks

Alternative Breaks are immersive service experiences designed to introduce students to new communities while working to address pressing domestic and global social issues. Participating in an Alternative Break is a great way to get to know other students, make a positive impact, and have a meaningful fall or spring break! Check out this year’s programs and click on the justice issue for each program to learn more:

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Spring Break 2022 (March 13-19, 2022)

Housing and Homelessness (Washington, DC): We will partner with multiple agencies such as Bread for the City and Martha’s Table to explore the issues of housing and homelessness in the nation’s capitol.

Poverty and Educational Disparities (Nashville, TN): We will travel to Nashville, Tennessee to partner with local agencies like the Martha O’Bryan Center and Nashville Rescue Mission to explore poverty and educational disparities facing the local area.

Food Security (Asheville, NC): We will partner with multiple local agencies such as Bounty and Soul and MANNA Food Bank to explore issues surrounding food security in western North Carolina.

Interfaith with the Lakota (Pine Ridge Reservation, SD): We will partner with Re-Member, a grassroots community effort serving the Lakota Oglala tribe in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Volunteers will stay on the Pine Ridge reservation working on infrastructure projects, as well as spending time with community members and guest speakers. Contact Allison Pelyhes (apelyhes@elon.edu) in the Truitt Center for more information.

Fall Break 2021 (October 14th 2021)

This year’s Fall Alternative Breaks will be day-long immersive experiences to dive deeply into issues impacting our local communities! Both programs will be FREE to participants and will include transportation and lunch. Applications will be considered on a first come first served basis so if you’re interested apply today!

Food Security with Second Harvest located in Winston Salem: 1 in 6 people in Northwest North Carolina are food insecure. 1 in 5 children don’t get enough food to thrive. Second Harvest serves communities across 18 counties including families right here in Burlington. Students will assist with a pallet build, building orders for these communities. We will also explore Winston-Salem and dive deeper into the systemic issues surrounding food insecurity in North Carolina.

Youth Advocacy with Note in the Pocket located in Raleigh: Note in the Pocket addresses sustainability and youth homelessness by taking donated clothes and redistributing them to children and adults who are in need of clothing. This focus on youth clothing allows children to focus on their education, so they work with Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) social workers and case managers from 12 other agencies to provide children with full seasons’ worth of clothing. Students will assist with sorting and quality checks of the donations, and after will attend an exhibit at the NC Museum of Art that explores the unique issues children maturing in the modern era are facing.

    Alternative Break Frequently Asked Questions 

     Staff and Faculty Learning Partner Expectations and Frequently Asked Questions

     

    Elon Alternative Breaks is a proud member of Break Away, a national organization supporting alternative break programs at campuses across the country. We integrate Break Away’s 8 Components of a Quality Alternative Break into our program model.

    For questions about Alternative Breaks, contact Autumn Cox at acox23@elon.edu.