Alternative Breaks History
March 2010
Restoration: New Orleans, LA - Students engaged in several different projects during the week long stay in New Orleans. Some of the activities included promoting energy conservation with Green Light New Orleans, a building project with the New Orleans Mission, feeding the homeless at the Dragon Cafe', and a gardening project with the Beacon of Hope.
Animal Welfare: Donna, TX - Students helped beautify the Recycled Rovers & Friends facility in Donna, TX while caring for rescued animals.
January 2009
Hurricane Relief: Houston-Galveston, TX - Students partnered up with C.O.R.E. Alliance from Houston and groups of students from across the nation to help people affected by Hurricane Ike.
May 2008 (News Article)
Border Exchange Project II: Mahwah, NJ - Border Exchange Project Part II: Students that participated in the first leg of the Border Exchange Project spent a week in the NJ/NY area working with organizations that help promote human rights in regards to immigration. Students had the opportunity to paint apartments, work with immigrants on issues pertaining to child care, human rights abuse, etc.
March 2008 (News Article)
Border Exchange Project I: Edinburg, TX - Border Exchange Project Part I: Eight UTPA students and one staff member hosted 11 students and one faculty from Ramapo College of New Jersey to target issues surrounding immigration and it's effects on the South Texas Border region and Mexico. Service projects included painting an elementary school in Reynosa and cleaning a homeless shelter for immigrants in Brownsville among others.
Coastal Louisiana Restoration Project: Lake Charles, LA - Five students and one staff member help restore a Sam Houston Jones State Park in Louisiana after invasive plants spread due to past hurricanes. Students joined college students from all across the nation to replant over 5,000 trees.
March 2007
Hurricane Relief Project: New Orleans, LA - The Community Service Connection was proud to kick off their 1st annual Alternative Spring Break Program by sending seven UTPA students to Tulane University in New Orleans, LA in March. Students who attended the week-long service project were able to help clean and rebuild one of the many areas affected by Hurricane Katrina by working together with the Green Project and the Common Ground Relief, among others.
