event

Alternative Breaks Hold Informational Sessions

As one walks in to McKenny Union's Tower Room, five students are setting up a projector and some sing in tables. As 8pm approaches the projector still seems to be on the fritz, and one of them goes for help. People slowly trickle in and the meeting starts as a technical support staff member is setting up the projector.
Each of the students introduces themselves and talks about the Alternative Break trips they have taken. Some have done Katrina relief work in, some have built houses in , and some have helped the homeless; Each has their own unique story to tell.
Alternative Breaks is a student run organization that exists on most college campuses, that sends students to different places around the country during their winter and spring breaks, to do community service. Last year Eastern Michigan University, sent ninety-nine students to ten different locations, its largest alternative spring break to date. Each location tackled a different issue including; Women's issues, Rural Poverty, Urban Poverty, Aids Awareness, Head Start, and The Deaf and the Blind.
The five coordinators show a slide show of pictures from past trips that have been compiled, and explain the service for each of them. After the slide show they beging to talk about the cost, and benefits, some of the fund raising opportunities available, and the application process. After that has finished they field question, while most are too timid to ask their questions, a few questions are asked about fund raising, and what sites were planed for the year. And with that the meeting concludes, most students stay around and chat with the coordinators for a few minutes before slowly leaving.
For more information the Alternative Breaks group will be having info sessions on Monday, Sept. 25 Thursday, Sept. ?? and Thursday, Sept, ??