What is an Alternative Break?

Transcription

1

2 What is an Alternative Break? Student created in the 1980s as a safe, positive alternative to traditional spring break trips. Now hosted by hundreds of 2- and 4-year institutions across the country.

3 What is an Alternative Break? Alternative Breaks are week- and weekend-long servicelearning trips that help students learn about social issues through direct service, issue education, and reflection. Projects strengthen communities and address important issues Reflections challenge you to think critically Teams collaborate with diverse people Program builds active citizens who value the community as a priority when making life decisions Participants need a cooperative attitude ~ commitment ~ enthusiasm ~ flexibility ~ open mind

4 ALTERNATIVE SUMMER BREAK BUILDING HOPE IN REHOBOTH BEACH with Habitat for Humanity Sunday, May 22 nd through Friday, May 27 th

5 Why Sussex County, Delaware?

6 Affordable Housing Crisis From , Sussex County lost 41% of its affordable housing units. The number of homes that cost more than $1,000 to rent increased by 1065% Of the 50 states, Delaware has the 8 th highest nonmetro area housing wage for a two-bedroom unit. You d have to make $18.83 or work over 100 hours/week at minimum wage to afford a rental unit in Sussex County.

7

8

9 Where Habitat for Humanity Comes in We build homes. We build families. We build hope. Habitat for Humanity in Sussex County is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. Habitat partners with hardworking families, volunteers, and donors to build and repair affordable homes. Habitat as an organization seeks to eliminate poverty housing throughout the world. They work with all people to help make decent shelter an attainable dream. To date, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 400,000 houses world-wide, providing more than 2 million people with safe, decent, affordable shelter. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.

10 More about Habitat We do not give away houses. We offer a hand up, not a hand out. Each homeowner is required to complete core classes that help them plan for their future and understand financial literacy and critical life skills. Homeowners are required to invest at least 250 hours in sweat equity to help build their home. Habitat provides building material, often at a reduced cost or donated, an abundance of volunteers, a team of skilled construction professionals, and a 0% mortgage for up to 30 years. The combination of these resources has proved to be transformative for thousands of families across the country and the world.

11 Habitat Partner Families Isana Perez-Martin and Ricardo Ventura are the proud parents of 3 daughters: Andrea Ventura (age 7), Alina Perez (age 5) and Elizabeth Ventura (7 months). Isana currently works for La Red Health Care as a bilingual translator and Ricardo works in landscaping. This is the answer to our prayers. Each person who is part of Habitat for Humanity will receive many blessings from above. Each nail that is hammered in is a piece of a blessing, Perez said of becoming a Partner Family.

12 Learn More About Sussex County Habitat for Humanity Learn more about their programs, volunteers, and current build sites, by looking at their website:

13 Traveling from MC to Sussex Alternative Summer Break volunteers will travel as a group leaving from the Rockville Campus on Sunday, May 22 nd to Georgetown, Delaware. We will drive in one 15- passenger van, about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive. We will return to the Rockville Campus the morning of Friday, May 27 th

14 A few facts about Delmarva Delmarva is the nickname for the peninsula on the Chesapeake Bay that includes portions of Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia Rehoboth Beach has been called the Nation s Summer Capital There have been several historic efforts to create a separate state out of the Delmarva Peninsula. The current economy is largely supported by tourism & agriculture, including commercial fishing.

15 Group Activities-Before Attendance at pre-trip meetings and events is mandatory. Participants may for emergency reasons only miss only one of these meetings or events. To make up for that absence, participants will need to review materials with an ASB facilitator and write a 2-page reflection within seven (7) days of the absence. This 2-page reflection must be submitted to facilitators or that participant will not be allowed to participate in the rest of the program. Service A pre-trip service project will be taking place on Saturday, April 23 rd. Meetings Pre-trip meetings will take place on a campus to be announced. If accepted, you will be asked to provide your availability on select Friday afternoons & evenings for the meetings so that it can be scheduled as soon as possible. Fundraising Participants will have to write at least 3 personal fundraising letters asking for support from mentors, family, friends, instructors, or work colleagues. A template will be provided.

16 Group Activities-Before A pre-trip service project will be taking place on Saturday, April 23 rd with Montgomery Housing Partnership for the Anacostia Clean Up.

17 Group Activities-During Every evening we will host team meetings with reflection activities to debrief our work day and experiences.

18 Group Activities-During Possible activities may include: Trip to Rehoboth Beach Dinner to the Boardwalk to experience the local food

19 Typical Daily Schedule 7:00AM: Breakfast and make lunches 8:00AM: Leave for job site Noon: Lunch break 4:00PM: Return from job site 6:00PM: Dinner Evenings: Free time, group activities, evening out

20 Meals We will be preparing our own food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The cost of food is included in the participant fee and dietary restrictions will be accommodated. You can bring additional spending money if you know you ll want particular snacks or food Housing We will be staying in a simple rental house near Rehoboth Beach. Details will be shared at the pre-trip meetings, including your packing list. If you need accommodations (religious, ability, dietary), you will be able to make arrangements ahead of time with the leaders.

21 Qualifications To receive full consideration participants must: Be 18 years old by May 12, 2016, or 16+ with a parent or guardian s permission Be free of any MC campus disciplinary actions and demonstrate a willingness to abide by the MC Student Code of Conduct and all ASB rules. Complete all portions of the application. Submit the completed application packet to your campus Student Life Office no later than 11:59pm on Sunday, March 27 th Applicants will be notified of acceptance no later than Monday, April 4 th

22 Program Fee The student cost of the trip is $150. This includes all transportation, housing, and meals. $50 non-refundable payment due upon acceptance on or before Friday, April 15 th $100 balance or scholarship application due on or before Friday, May 13 th Scholarship Application If accepted, participants may submit an application for up to $100 in scholarship money to support their program fee. Scholarship applications will be shared by with all participants. The scholarship application must be submitted no later than Friday, May 13 th

23 Being part of the ASB Group Be a Good Ambassador of the College at all times Expected behaviors NO drugs and/or alcohol Safety follow all HFH and MC rules Travel all participants travel with the ASB group Health Insurance Required by the Affordable Care Act ASB Meetings before, during, and after

24 ASB IMPORTANT DATES & DEADLINES On or before Sun. March 27 th Mon. April 4 th Fri. April 15 th Sat. April 23 rd Fri. May 13 th Sun. May 22 nd Fri. May 27 th Mid-July Applications Due Notification of Acceptance Pre-Trip Meeting: Getting to Know Each Other & Alt Breaks $50 Fee or Scholarship Application Due to Rockville Student Life Pre-Trip Service Project Last ASB Meeting: Getting Ready to Go Remaining Program Fee or Scholarship Application Due Leave for Delaware Return to MC Post-Trip Reunion and Campus Project

25 Tips for a Good Application Apply online at Everyone applying for Alt Breaks wants to serve WHY do you want to serve THIS project? Use the full amount allowed for your essay responses Re-read, edit, and proofread your answers and ask someone else to do for you too Tell us about yourself and what you would specifically learn & contribute Ask your references ahead of time if you can list them and how they would prefer to be contacted Ask someone who has seen you work in a team, volunteer, or support a group project: Coach, Counselor or Advisor, Instructor, Mentor, Family Friend, Supervisor, Faith Leader, Group Leader

26 Questions? If you have any questions about the trip, application procedures, or deadlines, please contact us. Debi Higbie-Holmes Student Life Office, SA186 Germantown montgomerycollege.edu Nik Sushka Student Life Office, CC005D Rockville montgomerycollege.edu Dr. Lucy Vitaliti Student Life Office, ST222 Takoma Park/Silver Spring montgomerycollege.edu