Summer 2013 (May 15-29, 2013)
International Community Development
SMU Alternative Breaks is excited to partner with the Embrey Human Rights Program to offer a summer 2013 trip to San Juan Comapala, Guatemala to work with the organization, Long Way Home. Participants will travel for two weeks to Comapala to serve in multiple ways to help promote education, employment and environmental stewardship.
Fall Break (October 13-16, 2012)
Disaster Recovery in a Rural Town
SMU Alternative Breaks will travel to Altus, Arkansas in order to help the town recover from a devastating tornado that hit the area in the summer of 2011. Students will have the opportunity to work with the Post Family to remove debris and similar disaster recovery tasks. Participants will learn about disaster recovery nationally and the challenges that face small towns.
Urban Hunger
SMU Alternative Breaks will travel to Austin, TX to work with the Sustainable Food Center to help cultivate a healthy community by strengthening the local food system, as well as improving access to nutritious, affordable food.
Winter Break (December 13-20, 2012)
Community Development
SMU will travel to Brownsville, TX to volunteer with Good Neighbors Settlement House. Student volunteers will plan a holiday party for youth as well as a toy drive. Volunteers will also help in the Soup Kitchen and interact with community members.
Disaster Relief - sponsored by ACE at SMU
SMU will serve with a recovery organization in New Orleans, LA called Youth Rebuilding New Orleans. YR engages youth in the recovery and rebirth of the New Orleans area through rebuilding distressed and foreclosed homes that are then sold to teachers to stabilize neighborhoods and positively impact the education system.
Spring Break (March 10-16, 2013)
HIV-AIDS in an Urban Setting
This year, SMU will be returning to Los Angeles to work with the AIDS Project of Los Angeles (APLA). The trip will deal with the issue of HIV/AIDS and its effects on patients, causes, and related social issues. Hands on volunteering in several locations throughout L.A. will be possible.
Education in a Rural Setting
SMU will continue its long held tradition of sending participants to Taos, New Mexico to help a community in need. This year we will again partner with Roots and Wings, a rural charter school. SMU participants will work with and tutor middle school students. Roots and Wings charter school, nestled in the mountains of Taos, is also attached to a unique multi acre farm, a vital part of their education process, which participants will have the opportunity to help improve.
Hunger in the Southwest
Participants will travel to Gallup, New Mexico to work with The Community Pantry, which serves wholesome food to children, the elderly, and families in need in one of the highest food insecurity counties in the United States.
Food Deserts: Providing an Oasis
SMU will be going to New York, NY to serve with God's Love We Deliver food bank. Students will work in the kitchen as well as deliver food to the needy and chronically ill across New York City. Students will understand why food deserts exist in urban areas, especially for certain social groups like the ill or elderly.
Environmentalism in a Fragile Ecosystem
SMU will be returning to Crawfordville, Florida performing environment restoration in the area. Students will learn about environmentalism in America, major challenges, and will get a chance to serve hands on in an environment desperate for help.
Refugee Childhood Education
SMU will be going to Atlanta, Georgia, and serving the International Community School. SMU students will get a chance to connect with low-income children, some of whom are from refugee and immigrant families by assisting them in the classroom.
Affordable Housing
SMU will be going to Denver, CO to work with Habitat for Humanity. Students will work to create affordable housing for the community while learning about the issue of sustainable housing in America.
Health Issues/Medical
SMU will be traveling with UT Southwestern Medical Center to El Paso, TX. SMU will be providing students a first-hand experience in integrating medical training with service by aiding a free clinic serving those who may be unable to afford healthcare.
Urban Community Development
Participants will travel to a mystery location within the United States to work with an organization focused on community development and global peace initiatives through the arts, education, and service.
Education in a Third World Country
This year, SMU will be returning to Quito, Ecuador to volunteer with UBECI, working on issues of youth education and community development. Students will have the opportunity to work with children in local markets, teach English to local students, or help with social work and development depending on Spanish skills. Spanish is not required, but highly recommended. Prerequisite: Participation in a domestic Alternative Break trip.