Grand Valley Alternative Breaks
Promoting active citizenship at Grand valley state university since 1991
2016-2017 Site Leader applications are officially open! This is a fantastic opportunity to grow as a leader and to get more involved with Alternative Breaks at Grand Valley. If you are interested, apply on OrgSync today!
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact ab.gv.vicepresident@gmail.com.
4/4 UPDATE: Application close on Tuesday, April 5, so be sure to apply ASAP!
We have launched a Bonfire Funds campaign!
Until April 4, you can visit our campaign page and purchase a special 25th anniversary t-shirt. Help us celebrate our anniversary and reach our goal of 50 sales!
Check it out here, and share the news!
Grand Valley Alternative Breaks has two fantastic events planned for the month of March!
Service Saturday with Family PromiseÂ
Service Saturday is back, and just in time for GVSU’s Community Outreach Week!
For the month of March, we will be working with Family Promise of Grand Rapids. Family Promise is an organization that strives to help prevent homelessness by giving the encouragement that families need to give them motivation to grow. Plans for the day include deep cleaning the day center and receiving an educational tour about the organization and the opportunity to talk about what goes on during a normal day at Family Promise.
The following are the details for the event occurring on March 19th, 2016:
We will be meeting at 8:45 AM across from Lobby Shop in Kirkhof Center and will be carpooling to Family Promise. We will be volunteering from 10-2 PM then we will return to campus following our service. Please be sure to bring your own water bottle for the day as well as to pack your own lunch.
Apply on OrgSync today: http://bit.ly/1O1WNW1
Transformation Tuesday #6: Human Trafficking
The theme of our next Transformation Tuesday is human trafficking. A special guest speaker from Women At Risk, International will be joining us. If you are interested in learning more about this important issue, you don’t want to miss this event!
It will be taking place March 22 from 9-10:30pm in Kirkhof 1142. The event is LIB 101/201 approved. Please contact ab.gv.orientation@gmail.com with any questions.
The first annual Alternative Breaks Alumni Banquet will be on April 9 from 6-9:30pm at the GVSU Alumni House! If you are a GVSU graduate and an AB alumni member who is interested in attending, please contact our VP of Fundraising at ab.gv.fundraising@gmail.com.
Additionally, if you would like to be added to the GVSU Alternative Breaks Alumni Association Facebook page, please contact our VP of Public Relations at ab.gv.publicrelations@gmail.com.
This year we have sent out 15 different service trips across the country. If you would like to stay updated on all of their adventures, be sure to follow our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages!
Spring 2016 Trips:
Affordable Housing – Baltimore, Maryland – Peoples Homestead Group
Animal Rescue – Orlando, Florida – Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando
Children in Underserved Communities – Franklin, North Carolina – Macon Program for Progress
Community Health – Little Rock, Arkansas – Arkansas Children’s Hospital
Engaging the Aging – Atlanta, Georgia – Meals On Wheels Atlanta
Equine-Assisted Therapy – Felton, Minnesota – Riding On Angels’ Wings
Family Affairs – Salina, Kansas – Ashby House Family Center
Native American Cultural Awareness – Tahlequah, Oklahoma – Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach
Neighborhood Nutrition – Asheville, North Carolina – YMCA of Western North Carolina
Park Preservation – Marion, Virginia – Hungry Mother State Park
Refugees – Kansas City, Missouri – Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), Kansas City
Relief Efforts – Sea Bright, New Jersey – St. Bernard Project NJ
Urban Gardening – Chicago, Illinois – Chicago Botanic Garden
Veterans – Franklinton, Louisiana – Volunteers of America, Greater New Orleans
Water Restoration – Murphy, North Carolina – Hiwassee River Watershed Coalition
3/14 Update: Thank you to all advisors, executive board members, site leaders, participants, alumni, community partners, and anyone else who invested time or energy into this year’s spring break 2016 trips. This season has been a tremendous success, and we could not have done it without you!
Active Citizenship = Voting
Active Citizens make community their priority in values and life choices. They think critically, constantly ask “why,” and strive to discover the root causes of issues in society. However, they also apply what they learn to make a positive change, they ACT.
Lakers in Michigan, please keep this in mind today.
Grand Valley Alternative Breaks 