An alternative break is a service-learning trip where a group of college students engage in education and service, most commonly the week of spring break. Each alternative break has a focus on a particular social issue, with exploration and immersion in that issue lasting the full academic year. Throughout the experience, small groups of 10-12 students engage in service alongside community organizations, education that explores a social topic from multiple perspectives, as well as forward-thinking reflection. These experiences challenge students to think critically and compassionately, and upon return, empower them to make informed decisions and take meaningful action that supports local community efforts long-term.

The Site Bank is an online database to share your volunteer opportunities directly with interested groups. Becoming a Site Bank member is the best way to connect with staff and student leaders from the colleges and universities in our network. To get started, first register as a community organization. Navigate to the Site Bank and click on the Account and complete a profile with information about your organization, past work with alternative break groups, and available volunteer opportunities.

Break Away is the national nonprofit that supports community engagement programs. While we don’t plan or execute experiences ourselves, we do provide training, resources, and consultation to more than 150 schools and 125 community + housing organizations across the country. We can help connect you to interested and enthusiastic volunteer groups, offer phone/email consultation, and provide professional development opportunities for volunteer coordinators.

Alternative break programs exist at colleges and universities across the country. There is likely one at a campus near you! The best way to get in touch with an alternative break group is by creating and updating your profile on the Site Bank. If you'd like to talk more about getting involved with the Movement or schools in your region, reach out!

Because every school’s program is independently run, each program’s preparation process looks different. Some programs meet only a few times before their experience, while others meet as many as 15 times, during which they engage in research and activities as well as attend lectures, workshops, and events for comprehensive education on the social issue. Students learn about the historical, cultural, and political factors related to their social issue locally and globally; your organization’s vision, mission, work, and relationship to the local community; and develop the hard and soft skills necessary to complete work with your organization and continue community work in their home communities.

Alternative break groups are typically prepared to develop the curriculum for this preparation, though community organizations are encouraged to assist with any/all of these components depending on your capacity.

Different programs host alternative breaks at different times of the year: fall, winter, spring, summer, and even on weekends! Spring break is the most popular, with preparations beginning as early as 8-9 months ahead of time. Some programs work on much shorter preparation timelines, though nearly all are planning at least 4-5 months ahead of time in order to recruit and train students appropriately.

You may be contacted by a program staff advisor, a graduate assistant, a student director or executive board member, or the specific experience leaders. In any case, students and staff are well-versed in alternative breaks and will be able to guide you through the planning process.

If you’re working with an alternative break group for more than one day, the school may want to utilize a work plan or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to guide the planning process. The students will do most of the heavy lifting, typically sharing important contact information and goals for the overall experience, while requesting you to include specific information about the volunteer project (i.e. intended project goals and skills required to engage in the work).

Because alternative break groups prepare for up to a year before arriving to work with your organization and are often interested in long-term partnerships, it may be possible to utilize the unique time, resources, and skills of alternative break volunteers to build capacity for your organization. If capacity building work is possible with your organization, be sure to list this information on the profile and discuss the potential with the program contact.

Remember, it is never your responsibility to find work for the alternative break group to do. Instead, community organizations are leveraging the time and resources of alternative breakers to “plug them in” where needed.

BEFORE | Before the alternative break, you can work with student leaders to clearly define expectations for the volunteer group and articulate particular skills that students will need for the volunteer projects.

DURING | During the alternative break, it is helpful to provide an orientation to the organization and suggest ideas for the group to be involved with community events or activities, if possible. You will also supervise the service project agreed upon before the alternative break.

AFTER | After the alternative break, the group will ask you to evaluate the experience and offer feedback to student leaders. The students will also be thrilled if you can share suggestions for continued education and advocacy.

While there are some organizations that are able to provide food, housing, and transportation for alternative breakers, it is by no means necessary. Student leaders generally will find housing on their own at a local church or community center with floor space for sleeping bags and a well-equipped kitchen. However, sometimes, students will ask you for recommendations for housing since you are more familiar with the area.

We see alternative breaks as a galvanizing force toward life-long community engagement and advocacy, so naturally, we believe post-experience action (reorientation) is one of the most crucial components of quality community engagement. Community organizations are encouraged to support students’ reorientation efforts, capacity permitting. Staying connected with student leaders and participants by way of newsletter, social media, or phone is a great way to maintain communication post-service.

We have a listserv just for Break Away community and housing partners where you can discuss the unique experiences of hosting alternative break programs. We’re also happy to play matchmaker and connect you with other organizations in your area or doing similar work. Let us know if you’d like an introduction!

While we don’t allow organizations to contact our Chapter schools en masse, there are a few things you can do to better connect with interested groups and ensure that your profile gets more clicks and, consequently, more requests! First, make sure your profile is as detailed as possible. We find well filled out and recently updated profiles receive the most interest from schools. If you’ve worked with alternative break groups in the past, be sure to include the name of the college/university you worked with and any other information about your experience in the profile.

Organizations are invited to engage with the Movement on our social media platforms and send along anything you’d like us to post on your behalf. We’d be more than happy to serve as a megaphone for the great work you’re doing.