ASB: A Break from the norm
Published in Chicago Flame 3/31/08
While some students spent last week’s spring break partying, sleeping or studying, 50 students found themselves volunteering in various locations throughout the country through UIC’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB) program. Celebrating its 10th anniversary at UIC this semester, ASB sent students to Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi, Georgia and Tennessee to volunteer with various organizations.
According to current president Amber Orenstein, ASB seeks to “immerse groups of student volunteers in diverse environments to engage in service oriented learning in the hope that they become dedicated to life-long service and social action.”
The trips place students in locations they otherwise might not find themselves, and gives them an opportunity to help local communities and organizations, as well as give those involved a sense of empowerment and understanding about themselves and the world around them.
ASB is a student-led organization which currently features 16 board members that all play an important role in ensuring the success of the semester. One of the most important roles of the board is that of site development – students who spend a considerable amount of time researching and organizing each trip. This semester featured trips that dealt with rural and urban poverty, Native American awareness, community building, farm workers rights, and affordable housing.
Perhaps one of the greatest obstacles for ASB is affordability for students. Unlike many ASB programs at other universities, UIC receives minimal amounts of financial support from the university itself. Through bake sales, private donations and an annual auction, ASB is able to offer trips to students from anywhere between $150 and $200. Costs cover gas, transportation, housing and some food, as well as any other location-specific materials, such as hazmat suits, which were needed for a previous trip to New Orleans.
Students frequently rave about their trip upon returning.
According to San Juan, Tex. volunteer Colette Conlisk, “It is an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone.”
The trips often give students opportunities to not only interact with a new community, but also alongside other students, each with their own unique stories and perspectives. Something that Orenstein sees as one of the most important aspects of going on a trip is that it “lets people know who you are and in so doing you find out a lot more about yourself.”
This year, Orenstein set some lofty goals for herself and the rest of the ASB board. She sought to increase awareness of ASB on campus, double the amount of trips offered from previous years, and to raise $10,000 to cover costs for these expanded opportunities. Through help with faculty advisor Jennifer Kosco, the ASB board and previous board members such as former president Barath Badrinathan, Orenstein has accomplished such goals.
Assistance from these different areas has helped ASB’s board to be what Kosco refers to as “one of the most organized and strongest [ASB] boards in years.” Orenstein, who relinquishes her position after this semester, kept ASB’s mission statement as her priority as well as broadened its presence on campus.
Former president Barath Badrinathan praised Orenstein by saying, “It is nice to see that other people are taking as much action as I had and are improving the organization.”
While nearly half the students that applied for this past semester’s trips were turned down, they should not be discouraged; there is always next year. Almost all of the accepted students hadn’t gone on an ASB trip before so as to guarantee an opportunity to newcomers every time. Students must fill out an application in order to go on a trip before each spring and winter break, and undergo an interview process to find the right mix of students for each trip.
The future of ASB at UIC has certainly been improved through the hard work of Orenstein, Badrinathan, Kosco and the current ASB board, and UIC will undoubtedly see new trip locations and opportunities for students in years ahead.
ASB is currently planning on having a final fundraiser some time in late April, when it will feature a game of tug of war in the quad – in which all students are invited to join, so be sure to keep an eye out for the event. Anyone that is tired of the usual break, whether it involves sitting in a dorm, apartment, or house, and who wants to have an alternative experience should consider ASB for next year’s winter and summer breaks.
Tags: ASB, Georgia, Mississippi, Native American, New Orleans, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas
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