Five Pillars

Social Justice

It is not enough to simply do good works.  For example, if someone is hungry, we need to feed him/her.  We also need to ask why the person is hungry and seek to change the social systems that create such situations in the first place.  We are called to create social conditions that enable all women and men to achieve their full potential.  We explore justice by looking at the issues that affect the people in the host community, helping us to understand the interconnection between personal and societal responsibility.  With this comes the realization that social justice isn't just something we practice on our ABE trips - it becomes a manner in which we live our lives.

Rooted in the Benedictine tradition, community reinforces the cocept of solidarity.  In an increasingly interconnected world, we are all part of one human family despite national, racial, religious, economic and ideological differences.  Community respects the value of the individual while affirming the common good.  there are many communities involved in ABE trips: the group of participants, the host community, the CSB/SJU community, the Benedictines and beyond.  Participants are not simply individuals who experience ABE trips on their own, but rather they are a community that is there to support and challenge each other throughout the experience.  By participating in ABE, the group and host community mutually benefit from the presence of each other. 

"Listen with the ear of your heart" is one of our core Benedictine values at CSB/SJU.  We strive to listen in a reflective manner in order to hear the voices of all creation with compassion and reverence.  We listen in order to more acutely participate in our ABE experiences.  It is through reflection that we make meaning out of these experiences, and we find reflection is as imporatant as the mutual service itself.  Through reflection, we hope participants can integrate their immersion experiences with the rest of their lives.  Each evening, the group comes together and refelcts on the day's experiences. Many participants find this to be the most rewarding and insightful part of the week.

Intellectual growth is not confined to the classroom.  Through experiential learning, our young men and women are enodowed with a wisdom that increases their awareness of the "invisible realities" faced by others in our national and global community.  In addition, we are made aware that many nations that are poorer in material goods are richer in wisdom: a wisdom that surpasses the world of "mere things."  This experiential learning enhances the classroom experience as participants connect the "real world" with the "academic world."

through our experiences, we find that we can't always change the situations we see, but we can change ourselves and live our lives in a way that carries out our experience.  Every decision we make and ever dollar we spend is a vote for the kind of world in which we would like to live.  As we reflect on our experience, we ask, "How do my decisions directly or indirectly affect the people we encounter during our ABE trip?"  In thinking about this, we are more deliberate in making daily life choices, which continues the trip far beyond the short week.  In this way, we incorporate our experiences into a lifestyle of change.

Alternative Winter Break-Border Trip

Experience a wide range of people, institutions and organizations involved with border politics and the lives that are affected on the United States/Mexico border.

Winter Break of 2007/2008, we sent 9 participants to the border for seven days to learn about immigration, femicide, and other important border issues.  They spent time in Juarez, Mexico, Anthony, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas.  Their home base was the Women's Intercultural Center in Anthony, New Mexico.  They participated in an overnight homestay with families in Antony and a two night home stay with families in Juarez.  They toured many organizations that help with immigration issues, attended speakers about various issues, and got to know the people of these communities.

See some photos: Album 1; Album 2; Album 3

Alternative Spring Break

Break away from your comfort zone, raise your awareness of social issues and injustices such as poverty, racism, and environmental issues. Learn to integrate justice and service into your everyday life. Trip locations are across the United States and International, from Appalachia and New York to Guatemala and Thailand. Some examples of the types of service and learning experiences we do at the sites are: 

• Spanish immersion and cultural diversity.
• Helping in impoverished areas doing Community work, building and restoring homes, schools etc. Helping the homeless and serving in soup kitchens.
• Education, helping disadvantaged youth, working with inner city children and tutoring adults.
• Seeking justice through non-violence, resistance training.
• Environmental and eco-justice. 

Alternative Summer Break-Peru May Term: May 14-May 28, 2008

This learning experience will introduce CSB/SJU students to some aspects of the Peruvian society and the lives of the Quechua and Aymara women and men who live in the southern part of Peru, especially Cusco and Puno.  CSB/SJU students will visit a few shantytowns in the city of Lima on the coast of Peru as well.  This learning experience is a unique opportunity to reflect on the lives and the key roles that different organizations have played in the developing country of Peru and their contributions to the global village.  It is also a chance for students to gain a greater apprectiation and understanding of the culture by sharing and partaking in it.  Through readings, presentations, discussions, field trips, and reflection, we will explore the political, economic, social, and religious contributions that these dynamic organizations make to their cultural evolution.

For more information, contact Particia Cespedes-Schueller at x5806 or e-mail her at pcespedes@csbsju.edu

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How do I...

• How do I apply for an Alternative Break Experience?
  Participant Application (2009 trips)
• How do I lead an Alternative Break Experience trip?
  Co-leader Information
• How can I find out more about participating in an Alternative Break Experience trip?
  Participant Information
• 2009 Trip Sites
• How do I pay for my trip?
  • Money Matters
  • Fundraising
  • Peter Pan Letter
• How can I help financially support the Alternative Break Experience program?
  *The 6th Annual Family Fun Run/Walk
  *Saturday Morning of Family Weekend 2008
  Come run or walk along the beautiful trails of the St. John's Arboretum while supporting a great cause...the ABE program! Co-sponsored by St. John's Arboretum.

Philosophy and Mission Statement

Contact: springbreak@csbsju.edu