[hr]Thirty-four JSU students will travel to Houston during spring break to participate in Alternative Spring Break, a program offered by the university that allows students to volunteer in communities and share in civic engagement and experimental learning. Students are scheduled to depart March 12, returning March 17.
Each year the services rendered follow a set theme. This year’s theme is “Youth, Hunger and Homelessness.”
On Monday, students will volunteer at Houston’s Food Bank. Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s focus will be youth, and then students will volunteer at the Children’s Museum of Houston and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston, respectively.
While at the Boys and Girls Club, they are scheduled to talk to youths about the importance of attending college. The week of service will wrap up on Thursday, with participants returning to the Children’s Museum of Houston for its “Free Day,” when admission to the museum is at no charge to anyone.
Eltease Moore, JSU’s community service coordinator in the Alice Varnado Harden Center for Service and Community Engaged Learning, exalted the program she helps coordinate every year.
“I have been involved in Alternative Spring Break for a few years now. We went to New Orleans and Hattiesburg in 2013; Atlanta in 2014 and 2015; and Dallas in 2016. I think the program is a great way for students to become well rounded and experience new places.”