During Spring Break2025, approximately 1,300 students from Howard University embodied the university’s motto of “Truth and Service” by traveling to 22 cities across the country as part of Howard’s annual weeklong Alternative Spring Break (HUASB).
Celebrating its 32nd year, HUASB participants served in both large cities, including Cleveland, Detroit, and St. Louis, as well as smaller towns like Williston, South Carolina. Their initiatives spanned various areas, including youth empowerment, restorative justice, disaster relief, community development, and more. Collectively, Howard University students committed over 150,000 hours of service throughout the week.
The theme for this year’s HUASB, "Nurturing Our Community: Planting Seeds of Hope for the Future," underscores the more than three decades of service Howard students have dedicated to communities both locally and globally through HUASB.
Howard University students partnered with local schools, churches, community organizations, after-school programs, food banks, advocacy groups, and more in the following cities: Aiken, SC; Asheville, NC; Albany, GA; Baltimore, MD; Birmingham, AL; Buffalo, NY; Charleston, SC; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Cleveland, OH; Detroit, MI; Flint, MI; Memphis, TN; Milwaukee, WI; Nashville, TN; Philadelphia, PA; Savannah, GA; St. Louis, MO; Tampa, FL; Trenton, NJ; Washington, DC; and Williston, SC.
Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) students served in 22 communities across the country through initiatives focused on community development, education, disaster relief, environmental justice, food stability, housing stability, restorative justice, violence prevention, youth empowerment, and youth holistic wellness. Each of these areas capture the true essence of Howard’s mission that will inspire the next generation of civic leaders who will embody Howard’s motto of “Truth and Service”.
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ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA Disaster Relief and Hurricane Helene Recovery
In Asheville, North Carolina, a Howard University student works with Equal Plates to prepare meals for shelters and facilities serving unhoused populations affected by Hurricane Helene.
In Asheville, North Carolina, Howard students helped repair the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, working with community members and local nonprofits such Equal Plates. They helped prepare and portion meals for local individuals and families. Additionally, they repaired fencing and took part in park and beach cleanups, supporting the preservation of natural spaces in the area.
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ALBANY, GEORGIA Tutoring and Guiding Elementary School Students
WALB: Howard University students volunteer their spring break to better young lives in the Good Life City.
Seventeen Howard University students gave back to younger students at Albany, Ga.'s Robert Harvey Elementary School by tutoring in mathematics, STEM, and arts and crafts. Harvey is one of the fastest improving schools in Georgia and was recently removed from the state's list of schools in need of major comprehensive support through a strong focus on academic success and community engagement.
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN Violence Prevention Through Postive Reinforcement
In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Howard University students worked to raise awareness, empower youth, and support educational initiatives to build safer communities. Through partnerships with schools and community groups, they provided tutoring and delivered presentations on healthy habits, mental health, and conflict resolution, promoting overall well-being and personal growth.
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FLINT, MICHIGAN Youth Empowerment, Beautification, and Social Justice
For nearly a decade, HUASB has partnered with the Flint Center for Educational Excellence in Flint, Michigan. Howard students spent a week mentoring and educating local students through social justice presentations, beautification projects, after-school program support, and food pantry assistance. They also participated in panel discussions about life at HBCUs and college preparation, inspiring the next generation of scholars.
Being from an underserved community, I understand the importance of having role models that you can look up to.”
"Being from an underserved community, I understand the importance of having role models that you can look up to,” Howard University junior Saskia Ivery told MLive. ”Sometimes it’s weird to find that in these underserved communities, these kids don’t have anywhere to look up.
TRENTON, NEW JERSEY Youth holistic wellness through test preparation, guidance, and inspiration
Howard University students at Joyce Kilmer Middle School. (Source The Trentonian)
In Trenton, New Jersey, a new HUASB location, Howard students visited Joyce Kilmer Middle School, Parker Elementary School, Trenton Central High School, and Capital City High School. In the afternoons, they spent time at the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County, offering counseling, guidance, and educational support to local youth.
Trinity Colbert a Howard University junior told the Trentonian: "We had a fantastic experience interacting with students. At Trenton High we helped students prepare for tests, and, even had lunch with them. I enjoyed many conversations."
AIKEN, SOUTH CAROLINA Homework help, cafeteria work, and hurricane relief
WJBF: Howard University students give back to Aiken's Horse Creek Academy during spring break by mentoring students, helping with school projects, and taking part in community outreach.
Howard University student's volunteered at Aiken, South Carolina's Horse Creek Academy during spring break by mentoring students, helping with school projects, and taking part in community outreach. HU Alternative Spring Break participants helped the elementary school students with homework, helped organize the school's book fair, and worked in the cafeteria. Along the way, they inspired the younger students to pursue college. In addition, the Howard students helped in the clean up and repair from damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
NBC4 Washington: Howard University students leave for alternative spring break of community service.
In Savannah, Georgia, participants volunteer at West Broad Street YMCA, helping to maintain the urban community garden.
In Savannah, Georgia, Howard students collaborated with local organizations, including the West Broad YMCA to support the deconstruction, salvage, and reuse of historic buildings. They helped rebuild a community chicken coop, renovate a community barn, and launch a community garden, contributing to environmental sustainability and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
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BUFFALO, NEW YORK Housing Stability and Building Beds
In Buffalo, New York, participants work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, building and assembling beds for underserved community members.
In Buffalo, New York, Howard University students partnered with Habitat for Humanity and Sleep in Heavenly Peace to support home-building efforts and make sure that children have a secure and comfortable place to sleep each night. HU students constructed twin-sized beds, performing sanding, stamping, drilling, assembling, and staining work for each bed’s components.
WASHINGTON, D.C. Community Development, Healthy Living, and Educational Support for Kids
In Washington, D.C., participants serve as market assistants at Bread for the City, where they restock and package fresh food for distribution to community members, helping to combat food insecurity.
In Washington, D.C., Howard students offered tutoring, academic support, and panels on college life to create a supportive and enriching learning environment at local D.C. high schools. Additionally, they contributed to farm maintenance by planting, watering, and harvesting fresh produce, while also promoting food security, environmental awareness, and healthy living initiatives. They partnered with organizations such as Bread for the City.
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA Restorative Justice Through Accountability and Rehabilitation
In Charlotte, North Carolina, participants at Stratford Richardson YMCA distribute lunches, support the literacy program, and assist with maintenance of the urban community garden.
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Howard University students championed restorative justice by partnering with local organizations to facilitate dialogue and healing for individuals affected by crime and systemic inequalities. Through workshops and mentorship programs, they empowered youth to embrace accountability and rehabilitation, fostering a deeper sense of justice and equity.
“People don't realize that these things are luxuries. Being able to take a hot shower with soap and water is a luxury.”
“People don't realize that these things are luxuries. Being able to take a hot shower with soap and water is a luxury,” Howard University Sophomore Bijou-Elyse Wallace told WFAE "Being able to have a hot meal at night is a luxury, so being able to give back and being able to give these things to people who might not have them is very important.”
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PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Educating and Mentoring
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania participants serve as judges at KIPP Preparatory Academy’s annual Inventions Convention, where students showcase their creative inventions.
InPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, Howard students mentored and collaborated with local students in the classroom at schools like KIPP Preparatory Academy, offering guidance and support to foster academic growth and development. They also led a 45-minute lesson on their majors and hosted a college and career panel, featuring a Q&A about Howard University.