While other students are preparing for Panama City or other spring break plans, there are those who give up their week to serve people in need. Students participating in Alternative Spring Break are preparing to help restore and renovate homes in New Orleans and advocate for Human Trafficking Awareness in Atlanta.

Bethany Oliver, coordinator of leadership and volunteerism and leader of the Atlanta trip, is excited about this year’s student teams.

“We have two teams of ten,” Oliver said.

Chris Howard, a senior and team leader for the New Orleans trip, said the group will be working with an advocacy group in the lower 9th ward of the city.

“We’re working with Common Ground Relief,” Howard said. “They work with legal and media advocates to do construction and restoration in lower 9th ward, (as well as) wet land restoration and disaster relief.”

Howard, who has served on the Alternative Break Board for a year, looks forward to the experience that he gains from these trips.

“I get to be apart of a process that has brought a whole lot of insight and value to me that has enriched my college career,” Howard said.

Although Howard is serving a student site leader, there is currently no faculty chaperone for the New Orleans trip, Oliver said.

“It’s available to anyone who wants to apply,” said Oliver.

Sophomores Tyler Scales and Lauren Clem are excited about the experience they will gain on the New Orleans trip.

“This is my first trip,” said Scales, “what I’m looking forward to most is helping people and the rewarding feeling that it(helping people) has.”

Clem is looking forward to the sense of involvement & community outreach on this trip.

“I’m also looking forward to helping people,” Clem said.

Oliver, a UNA alumna, wishes that the program would’ve been available when she was in school.

“The program came my senior year, so I didn’t get a chance to participate,” Oliver said. “If it was available when I was in school, I would have taken the chance.”

Unfortunately, Alternative Break Board trips have recently seen a decrease in student interest and involvement, Oliver said.

“We have seen a decrease in student involvement but it’s not just us,” Oliver said. “There’s been a decrease in student involvement in all of our organizations on campus. We (Student Engagement) are trying to come up with ideas to increase involvement.”

Everyone is welcome on Alternative Break Board trips, said junior Cody Herring.

“Doesn’t matter who you are, we welcome anyone,” Herring said. “You’ll fit in for sure.”

One positive of Alternative Break Board trips is the humbling experience students witness, Howard said.

“(This) unselfish experience gets you back down on earth,” Howard said. “It’s not just service work (or) a trip, it’s a life experience. When you take it upon yourself to help community, you’re apart of it and not apart from it. (This) adds meaning & purpose to your college career.”

Students also gain self-worth from investing in their selves and a community on these trips, said Junior Robert Nales.

“When you’re investing in anything worthwhile, you get your return from memories and experience,” Nales said. “It helps give you a better sense of life. It shows that you are blessed.”

Oliver thinks that every student should participate in an Alternative Break before they leave UNA.

“I tell all my students that, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Oliver said. “They’ll never get the chance to do something like this anywhere else.”