ECU students, staff gear up for alternative break experiences
Almost 80 students and staff from East Carolina University will spend spring break serving others in local communities across three states.
ECU’s Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement and partnering departments provide opportunities for students to address a variety of social causes through the Alternative Break Experience program.
ECU’s spring break begins this weekend. Classes will resume March 11.
In Greenville, ECU students on a “staycation” will work Saturday, March 2, through Wednesday, March 6, with community partners focused on youth and nutrition. Students will stay at Peace Presbyterian Church and will serve in local community gardens, tutor and mentor youth, and volunteer with the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Coastal Plain.
Several other students will be in Wilson to address access to healthy foods and health care. This experience will be a collaboration between ECU and Barton College, as well as local organizations hosting Healthy Futures AmeriCorps VISTAs. From Saturday, March 2, through Thursday, March 7, students will work with partner agencies including the City of Wilson, Wilson Family YMCA and the United Way of Wilson County.
This is also the ninth year that ECU students will volunteer with the N.C. Coastal Federation to do environmental work including oyster habitat restoration and project maintenance in Carteret County and Atlantic Beach. Students will bunk at Camp Albemarle from Sunday, March 3, through Thursday, March 7.
Additional trips will take students to: Asheville, North Carolina, to learn about Appalachian culture and serve with RiverLink, a nonprofit environmental group; Atlanta, Georgia, to work with the LGBTQ community and homeless youth; Columbia, South Carolina, to work with youth in the juvenile justice system; and Washington, North Carolina, to work with women leading change.
“Alternative break experiences are offered throughout the year to create student learning opportunities in diverse environments that address social, economic, political, environmental, spiritual and cultural issues. These experiences allow students to connect with their peers and learn through the exchange of ideas, personal reflection and active service,” said Tara Kermiet, associate director in the Center for Leadership and Civic Engagement.
Note to media: Email or call Dennis McCunney at mccunneyw@ecu.edu, 252-328-2802 (office) or 410-800-8725 (cell) for specific site contact information before heading to a spring break location.
Suggested coverage/activity days:
Greenville – Sunday morning and afternoon includes community garden work. Tuesday morning will include roadside cleanup and Wednesday afternoon includes tutoring with youth.
Washington – Monday morning includes service with the Underground Railroad Museum and Daughters of Worth. Monday afternoon will include service with Ruth’s House Domestic Violence Shelter.
Atlantic Beach – Monday and Wednesday afternoons will include living shoreline construction. Friday morning includes oyster bagging.
Wilson – Tuesday morning will include work at the soup kitchen and Wednesday morning will include volunteering with YMCA Learn to Swim. Thursday morning includes community garden work.
Asheville – Monday morning will include invasive species removal along stream banks in Buncombe County Sports Park and Monday afternoon will include stream cleanup in the park. Tuesday morning will include Invasive plant removal in Azalea Park and Tuesday afternoon will include clean up in the park’s wetlands that have been flooded from recent rains.
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ECU News Services
Howard House, 1001 E. Fifth Street
Greenville, NC 27858
ecunews@ecu.edu
Phone: 252-328-6481
news.ecu.edu
Contact: Dennis McCunney, director of intercultural affairs, mccunneyw@ecu.edu, 252-328-2802 (office) or 410-800-8725 (cell)
Event Dates: March 2-9, 2019