Alternative Spring Break
Program Overview

Program Overview | Alternative Breaks FAQ's
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APPLES Civil Rights Alternative Spring Break 2011 - New York City

The Alternative Spring Break (ASB) experience includes a two-credit hour, pass/fail course in which students examine theories behind community service, coalition building, community asset development as well as specific issues relative to the communities where they volunteer.

This mandatory course will be held from 2-3 p.m. on Wednesday during the spring semester (room TBA). A one-hour recitation will follow and will be planned based on participant schedules.

During the week of spring break, students apply what they have learned into action at different sites through direct service, indirect service, and advocacy work. An emphasis is placed on trip reflection both throughout the trip and following the students' return.

APPLES sponsors five ASB experiences:

Latino Issues: Students explore issues affecting migrant workers and Latino communities in North Carolina including labor rights, pesticide use and access to healthcare. 

Rural Poverty: Students work with local organizations to gain a better understanding of education, health and infrastructure issues that affect a rural North Carolina community in poverty.

Urban Poverty: Participants learn about poverty and homelessness in a larger urban area.  Issues explored in previous trips include hunger and food access, addiction and health.

Civil Rights: Participants explore a wide variety of current civil and human rights issues, ranging from gender equality and educational inequities to food availability and gay rights.

Disaster Relief: An experience that can vary based on storm season, disaster relief participants explore many aspects of disaster management including policy, access to aid and rebuilding efforts.

When applying, students may indicate a preference for Rural Poverty, Latino Issues, Urban Poverty, Civil Rights or Disaster Relief.

2013 Alternative Spring Break Timeline

  • October 2: Participant application opens
  • October 25: Participant application closes
  • October 26 - November 5: Conduct interviews
  • November 6: Finalists notified

Course begins in the spring semester

Apply Here:

Applications are now closed.

To obtain contact information for the current AFB Chair, please refer to the APPLES Organizers directory.