University of Michigan-Flint’s Alternative Spring Break program enables students to learn about issues such as homelessness, poverty, hunger, violence, environmental issues, and complex social and cultural issues. Students will listen to and understand community needs and continue a commitment to community service and social change.
Alternative Spring Break offers a community service learning experience on a local level during the traditional Spring Break of the academic calendar. Students spend time learning about complex social, cultural and environmental issues. During spring break, groups carpool to a selected site to engage in meaningful action toward a greater understanding of root causes of relevant issues. Students participate in critical reflection and analysis of social justice issues they experience first-hand.
The program is dedicated to providing break opportunities to as many students as possible, while striving to increase community impact and student learning and address societal problems with understanding and compassion. Critical elements of this process are recognizing community needs and assets while working in partnership with community members. Equally important is translating the experience into an understanding of the complexity and interconnectedness of social problems and making a commitment to being part of the long-term solution. Some of the sites that ASB have served are, but are not limited to: helping with hurricane Katrina cleanup, urban renewal with the Genesee County Land Bank and the Salvation Army, help with after school programming in local middle and elementary schools, serving meals at homeless shelters and also doing small construction projects.
Alternative Spring Break Options
Impact Days
Impact Days are flexible to accommodate students with busy lives but still give students the opportunity to make an IMPACT in the Flint community. Instead of committing to a whole week, students will have the opportunity to choose which days they are going to volunteer. Days usually start around 10am and will end around 5pm. Lunch and transportation to and from sites will be provided.
STAY-cation
This program is designed for students that want the vacation experience but still would like to serve the Flint community during their spring break. Students will participate in the same daily schedule as Impact Days participants however, instead of going home each night, students will stay in the Downtown Flint area. Following the workday, students will explore downtown Flint and engage in group activities. All meals and transportation to and from sites will be provided. STAY-cation participants are required to stay the entire 4 days and 3 nights (Monday morning-Thursday evening).