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Alternative Break Program Receives National Recognition

The Alternative Breaks (aB) program in the Center for Leadership & Service has been ranked in the Top 10 of college programs by Break Away, the national non-profit organization that guides and supports the development of quality alternative break program throughout the country. Each year, Break Away conducts a survey of members (over 120 schools participating) to report on Alternative Break statistics and best practices. From this survey of members, FIU was ranked 6th in the nation for number of service sites and number of participants for 2012.

AB organized 33 service sites with 382 participants this year. Students worked on issues such as homelessness, poverty, child welfare, and the environment in communities throughout Florida and the United States as well as in seven countries abroad. Trips took place during fall, winter, spring, and summer breaks. “I'm very proud.” commented Patty Lopez-Guerrero, AB Advisor. “This is the first time in aB history we've had a ranking in the top 10. With our plan of growth we are sure to be somewhere in the top 5 next year.”  

AB utilizes a student leadership model to select the social issues, research the communities, plan the travel arrangements, finance each site, and process reflection sessions with the mission of connecting students’ passions with the world’s greatest needs. Alternative Breaks is Worlds Ahead in creating lifelong active citizens through these intensive service-learning programs.