Break Away started small, but we were founded on big ideas. Michael Magevney and Laura Mann, two Vanderbilt University students, began Break Away in June 1991. Thanks to the tremendous financial and administrative support, Break Away operated for nearly a decade as a program at Vanderbilt — growing from a fledgling alternative break resource center to the leading national organization.

Break Away incorporated as an independent 501(c)(3) and was graciously housed by the Center for Civic Education and Service at Florida State University.

Break Away headquarters relocated to Atlanta, Georgia as part of an arrangement with Hands On Network/Points of Light to pursue a shared goal of creating meaningful volunteer and social advocacy opportunities for recent college graduates and alternative break alumni.

Break Away struck out on our own and got an office in the Atlanta area.

The COVID-19 presented a unique opportunity to become a remote organization. The pandemic also was a time of expansion — we now serve all college + university programs who engage in community work.

Break Away’s network continued to include of over 150 chapter schools + more than 150 community organization + housing partners, and thousands of community engagement alumni worldwide. As true believers in the power of positive change, we’re proud of our own growth and transformation over the years.

We launched a new mission, vision + values after 2 years of conversations. We also updated the name of our Alternative Break Citizenship Schools (ABCS) conferences to Actively Building Community Solidarity (ABCS) conferences to better reflect our growing audience + purpose.