Break Away Blog
The Weight of A Ballot + Voting Resources
As community collaborators, we know there is no such thing as “not my issue.” Politics are deeply intertwined in our work.
A Solution Isn’t Always the Answer
A natural reaction to identifying problems is to try and find solutions. But this isn’t always the right move. Especially when it comes to community engagement.
The Ethical Volunteer
We believe in education and looking inward in order to be aware of the privilege you bring into a space. We do it to de-center ourselves and highlight the systems of oppression at play.
To Move Forward, Look Inward
A strong reflection practice is vital for quality community engagement. Reflection is a rare opportunity to process new information and plan for future action.
The Science Behind Instant Friendships
If you’ve ever “clicked” with someone, you’re no stranger to the experience of meeting a new human and feeling an inexplicable bond after just a few short conversations. But, what forms an instant connection?
Be A Good House Guest
We often prepare for these experiences with a self-serving lens, but the eagerness for the experience can often leave out the most important truth: We are visitors in a new place.
Dear Graduates, Community Engagement Looks Different Now
You had a powerful community engagement experience (or experiences). As you walk across the graduation stage to receive your diploma, you’re probably asking yourself does it have to be over? No, but it will look different. You can and should find ways to stay engaged in your program and the Movement.
We’re Not in the Business of Alternative Breaks
Break Away isn’t in the business of alternative breaks (and neither are you). We dream of a society of people who prioritize just and equitable community. Alternative breaks, and community engagement programming at large, are simply a powerful vehicle to get there. We are motivated to engage, commit, and perform because of our deep belief in our vision.
Virtual Community Engagement
At Break Away, we believe there’s no limit to the change you can make in your community. While we are in the midst of a global pandemic, service for the greater good is still very possible — but we must be creative, innovative, and imaginative in how we go about it.
Five Years in a Movement, Hundreds of Years in the Making
A couple of weeks ago, our staff attended a lecture by Patrisse Khan-Cullors, co-author of When They Call You a Terrorist at The Carter Center. Patrisse’s book was released in January, five years after she co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement.
Our Role in Disaster Recovery
The two stages, generally speaking, to be aware of after a natural disaster are response + relief and recovery. Response and relief is the immediate work to minimize harm or hazard caused by the disaster. Recovery includes returning a community to the pre-disaster state of normalcy—or better, a sense of revitalization for all.
Fundraising: It’s Not About the Money
Fundraising is challenging. Across the board, almost everyone struggles with this. We don’t have a blanket answer for success, but based on one of our latest favorite reads, we can summarize a few tips.
In Times of Change, Embrace Each Other
In his essay, An Experiment in Love, Dr. King powerfully explains that nonviolence should never be mistaken for passivity. Rather, nonviolence is an active decision to center the principles of love and community.
Community Collaboration is Action…Even If It’s Cold Outside
Before you slip on your wool socks and cozy up to rewatch every episode of Parks and Recreation (we would never judge you for that, by the way), we’re here to remind you that community collaboration means constant effort—regardless of the season.
We Must Believe Another World Is Possible…and Create It
Our Executive Director spoke to the people in that small room about how we had tasted what it would feel like to live in a society of people who prioritize just and equitable community. In our time together, we had built parts of that vision. If we knew how to build it here, we could build it out there.