WASHINGTON – Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) will be sending more than 800 Howard University students across the world to address social justice issues during their spring break, March 9-17, 2019. For the last 25 years, the unique service learning experience has brought thousands of Bison to domestic and international sites to develop ethical leadership skills and restore communities.
“What stands out about ASB to me is that it’s a program that does more than just talk the talk, it actually walks the walk,” says Kyra Azore, a student leader on the steering committee. “Often times you see organizations talk about the good works they would or could do in the community, HUASB actually puts actions behind words and gets it done. There is not another program in this country like ASB. I think it’s very fitting for this program to have started at Howard University, a place that boasts its motto of ‘truth and service’ and serves as an incubator for international change agents.”
This year, the program expects to have 100,000 hours of community service in:
- Albany, Ga.
- Baltimore, Md.
- Birmingham, Ala.
- Chicago, Ill.
- Detroit, Mich.
- Flint, Mich.
- Ghana
- La Petit Haiti, Miami, Fl. (Little Haiti)
- Lumberton, N.C.
- Memphis, Tenn.
- Milwaukee, Wis.
- Philadelphia, Pa
- Camden, N.J
- New Orleans, La.
- Puerto Rico
- Savannah, Ga.
- St. Louis, Mo.
- St. Thomas, USVI
- Washington, D.C.
In an effort to raise the necessary funds to support the student’s travel and projects, donations were accepted for HUASB through the Annual Alternative Spring Break Helping Hands Radiothon held Sunday, March 3. Presented by WHUR 96.3 FM, the event provided an opportunity for steering committee members, student participants, and advisors to be hands-on with raising money for HUASB 2019.
Executive Student Director Vionna Moore said, “I have been participating in HUASB since my freshman year, but I honestly never thought I’d be the Executive Student Director one day. I initially got involved because I thought the concept of serving a community for seven days straight at no cost to me was amazing. HUASB stands out because it is not only free for students, but it helps students grow as leaders.”
The Helping Hands Radiothon placed ASB participants and staff up close and personal with the community. Additionally, community members passing by Howard’s campus on Georgia Avenue were able to learn about ASB 2019 right from their car seats while the student bucket brigade collected donations to fund life-changing experiences for both students and communities.
Russell Edmond, co-coordinator for Albany, Ga., said, “One thing I feel people undervalue in ASB is the connections built over a short period of time. People from every corner of campus participate in ASB so you get to interact with people you wouldn't otherwise see on campus. I'll be able to take maintain those relationships throughout my time at Howard and hopefully even after I graduate.”
For more information and updates on Alternative Spring Break, visit the website at https://giving.howard.edu/alternative-spring-break and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @huasb.
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(Pictured: Howard University students offering their assistance during HUASB 2018)
Media Contact:
Alternative Spring Break Representatives
Leelannee Malin
240-264-7330
Glen Vinson
gdvinson@howard.edu
About Howard University
Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, two Marshall Scholars, one Schwarzman Scholar, over 70 Fulbright Scholars and 22 Pickering Fellows. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University visit www.howard.edu
Media Contact: Imani Pope-Johns, Imani.popejohns@howard.edu
