2006 Alternative Spring Break Service Trip Sites

February 26 – March 5, 2006

International 

San Lucas Mission - San Lucas Toliman,  Guatemala

Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Guatemalan culture, as well as build relationships with the community of San Lucas. Father Greg, a Minnesota native and priest of San Lucas, is the founder of the mission. Student work may include but is not limited to the following: assisting in cooperative community projects such as helping with the reforestation project, sorting coffee, assisting families on their land, and helping to restore buildings that are in desperate need of repair.

Experiences: Spanish immersion, cultural diversity, restoration
Website: http://www.sanlucasmission.com/
Co-leaders: Kristen Nowak and Michelle Putnam

Education and Youth Issues

Maytown Learning Center – Maytown, Kentucky

At Maytown Learning Center, the participants will have the opportunity to spend the week working on repairs and projects at the center, home repair, or school programs.  They will be working at the center helping with upkeep and other projects or in the community putting on programs for youth in the schools. Volunteers will be staying in the Maytown Center.  Participants will be able to use their skills to help improve the community through repair projects and working with youth.

Experiences: Disadvantaged youth, education, rural, community work, building
Co-Leaders: Anna Boevers and Jeff Snegosky

Operation Breakthrough – Kansas City, MO

Operation Breakthrough is the state’s largest day care center. It’s mission is to help children who are living in poverty develop to their fullest potential by providing them a safe, loving and educational environment.  This organization provides day care, meals, Children’s Mercy Clinic, a dental clinic, speech therapy, play therapy, housing assistance, food and clothing to children and families of the inner city of Kansas City.

Experiences: Working with inner city children, education, poverty
Website:  http://www.operationbreakthrough.org/
Co-Leaders: Claire Hoolihan and Michelle DeCock

Environmental/Cultural Issues

Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit — Tahlequah, OK

Cherokee Nation Early Childhood Unit provides service to children from the age of 0 to 5.  Volunteers will have the opportunity to work with these children in the classroom and will create materials for use within the class.  You will also go into the community and do manual labor to assist where needed.  At this site you will also learn more about the Cherokee culture and every day life.

Experiences: Intercultural work, children, education, hands on
Website:  http://www.cherokee.org/
Co-Leader: Beth Reizdorf

Ghost Ranch — Abiquiu, NM

Situated in north central New Mexico, this ranch is a place where issues of environmental ethics and eco-justice are lived out in a beautiful natural setting.  By experiencing the local community, cultural history and mission of the church, the examination of our own lifestyles is a main component of this trip.  The week will also include a community work project - cleaning irrigation pathways or tutoring, as well as helping with various projects on the ranch.

Experiences: Environmental, eco-justice, Native American culture, hands on
Website: www.ghostranch.org
Co-Leader: Larry Schug

Housing Restoration

Glenmary Home Missioners - Vanceburg, KY

Glenmary's Group Volunteer Program is designed to give participants a first hand experience of missionary service.  Volunteers will work on home construction and repair alongside local construction workers for people with low-income, work with the elderly, do small projects around the community, as well as learn about the rich culture and traditions present in the Appalachian region.  Here you will gain an understanding of the causes of poverty, oppression, and injustice- and how your life choices can impact these issues.

Experiences: Homelessness, hands-on work, elderly
Website: http://www.glenmary.org/default.htm
Co-Leaders:  Carla Durand-Demarais and Paul Broker

Shelters and Homes

Amate House- Chicago, IL

Participants on this trip will be living and volunteering in a culturally diverse inner city neighborhood in Chicago.  Projects may include working with children, repairing/restoration, serving in a soup kitchen, or tutoring adults.

Experiences: Poverty, cultural diversity, and hands-on work
Website:  http://www.amatehouse.org/
Co-Leaders: Shaina Crotteau and Seth Stennes 

Jonah House - Baltimore, MD

Jonah House is a faith-based organization intent on seeking justice through nonviolence, resistance, and community.  Participants on this trip will spend the first part of the week living at Jonah House in Baltimore.  Here, they will take time for prayer, violence resistance training and community reflection each morning and evening.  During the day, work will include various service projects and forms of community action.  Mid-week, the group will travel with the Jonah House community to Washington D.C. and participate in the annual Faith and Resistance Retreat at the capital.

Experiences: Justice, resistance training
Website: www.jonahhouse.org/jhbrochure.htm 
Co-Leaders: Megan Kuhl and Teresa Capecchi

Hurricane Relief

Two Trips- Lafayette, Lousiana

In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, we will be sending three different trips to the south to help out with the relief effort. Because the situation is still very new, we are unable at this time to give specific details about these trips, such as the location and the exact service that will be done.  Participants on these trips should be prepared to be flexible and able to adapt to a variety of different situations.

Co-Leaders:

Trip 1: Jenny Lien and Laura Wilant
Trip 2: Shaun Crumb, John Deuhs, and Erica Nelson

Any Questions? Email the ASB staff at springbreak@csbsju.edu