The Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) program marked its 32nd year of service during the week of March 7–14 under the theme “Service With Impact: Empowering Communities & Dismantling Disparities.” Through intentional planning, fostering community, and immersive engagement, HUASB 2026 has raised the bar.  

This year, the program extended its reach to more than 22 cities nationwide, mobilizing more than 1,300 Howard student leaders to engage in initiatives focused on community development, youth empowerment, education, restorative justice, violence prevention, and more. This year’s theme personified the student-led program’s mission by continuing its legacy of truth and service. 

For the past three decades, HUASB participants have dedicated more than 150,000 hours of service collectively throughout their spring break week, and this year was no different.  

In carrying out their mission, Howard’s student leaders partnered with local community leaders, schools, churches, food banks, and farms. Take a deeper look into how these Howard students served with impact in communities across the nation, in the following cities: 

Service With Impact: In Action  

Aiken and Williston, South Carolina 

Community Development and Youth Holistic Wellness 

HUASB doubled its impact in South Carolina by serving in two cities, Aiken and Williston, under the initiative of Community Development and Youth Holistic Wellness. Student participants partnered with local schools and community organizations, such as North Aiken Elementary, Tall Pine STEM Academy, Kelly Edwards Middle School, and Williston-Elko High School. While volunteering,  HUASB participants mentored younger students one-on-one, supported teachers in the classroom, and worked alongside staff on campus beautification projects. Beyond school walls, students worked hand-in-hand with community outreach organizations such as Area Churches Together Serving and the United Way’s Project VISION to support residents of the greater Aiken community, through assisting in food distribution, clothing drives and much more. 

Asheville, North Carolina 

Youth Holistic Wellness  

Under the initiative of Youth Holistic Wellness, students served in Asheville, North Carolina at Asheville Peak Academy, Asheville Middle School, Asheville High School, and the School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville (SILSA). HUASB participants supported the youth through mentorship, leading wellness activities, and encouraging positive mental and physical health practices. Students also volunteered at Delta House, My Daddy Taught Me That, and Youth Transformed for Life to support after-school enrichment and mentorship programs that prioritize youth development and social-emotional wellness. They also assisted the Equal Plates Project, supporting efforts to address food insecurity. 

Atlanta, Georgia 

Youth Holistic Wellness  

“It’s really cool to come back here [Atlanta] and see the environments that I grew up in and show the kids a future they haven’t even thought of yet.” - Maxine Smith 

HUASB participants in Atlanta, Georgia served under the initiative Youth Holistic Wellness serving at  organizations such as John Lewis Invictus Academy, William M. Boyd Elementary School, Promise Center, and the Boys and  Girls Club. For students like Maxine Smith and Taylor Vander, who serves as the 2025-2026 co-executive student director for HUASB, volunteering in Atlanta was a full-circle experience that was indisputably rewarding. Students also assisted community organizations like Parks and Recreation and Destined for Greatness by supporting after-school programming, mentoring youth, and leading wellness-focused activities. Howard students also supported the community under the initiative of Developing Pathways to Food and Housing Stability, by collaborating with Open Hand Atlanta, Atlanta Community Food Bank, Fountain of Hope, and Atlanta Mission. The students supported efforts to combat food insecurity and housing instability by preparing and distributing meals, organizing donations, and assisting with community outreach initiatives. As Vander said when speaking with Fox 5 Atlanta, “We answer the call to serve ... I’m proud to be a part of something [HUASB] that’s been ongoing for 32 years.”  

Baltimore, Maryland 

Restorative Justice and Community Development  

In Baltimore, Maryland, under the initiative of Restorative Justice and Community Development, HUASB students devoted their time to serving Walter P. Carter Elementary School, Baybrook Elementary School, Robert W. Coleman Elementary School, and Reginald F. Lewis High School, where they provided tutoring, mentorship, and academic guidance to support students’ academic achievement and personal development. Building on their community development initiative, HUASB partnered with Empower4Life, a nonprofit organization serving the Baltimore and Harford County communities, committed to supporting unhoused youth. Through hands-on engagement and compassionate service, they helped create meaningful, heartwarming experiences for the children while advancing the organization’s mission to reduce the negative impacts associated with housing insecurity. 

Birmingham, Alabama 

Youth Holistic Wellness  

HUASB mobilized in Birmingham, Alabama, under the initiative of Youth Holistic Wellness, and collaborated with A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club, Birmingham City Schools, and Jones Valley Teaching Farm. Students worked alongside teachers and staff to mentor youth and created spaces for conversations focused on post-secondary life and opportunities. By sharing their personal journeys, Howard students served as relatable and inspiring role models, empowering Birmingham’s future leaders to envision the road ahead reaching far beyond their present circumstances.  

Buffalo, New York 

Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food and Housing Stability

“Our motto at Howard is ‘In Truth and Service,’ so bringing that truth to power, those words to life, is coming out here [Buffalo, NY] and serving.”- Jamal Richardson

Under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food and Housing Stability, HUASB traveled to Buffalo, New York, partnering with Buffalo Go Green, Buffalo Promise Neighborhood, Friends of Night People, Highgate Heights Elementary School, and Westminster Community Charter School (WCCS) to expand access to essential resources and opportunities for youth and families. HUASB participants supported food distribution efforts, engaged in environmental sustainability initiatives, and provided mentorship and academic support to young scholars. In an interview with WIVB, Jamal Richardson, a team leader for the site, expressed how moved he was after spending a week with the students at WCCS and observing their remarkable progress in opening up and learning new topics. Through collaborative service and reflective dialogue, participants deepened their understanding of systemic inequities while contributing to holistic, community-driven solutions that promote long-term stability and empowerment.
 

Charlotte, North Carolina 

Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability  

In Queen City, Charlotte, North Carolina, HUASB served under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability. They partnered with Ridge Road Middle School, Statesville Road Elementary School, and West Charlotte High School to mentor youth, support educators, and engage students in conversations centered around college readiness and personal growth. Beyond school sites, Howard students worked alongside Habitat for Humanity of the Charlotte Region, Hope for Harvest, the Harvest Center of Charlotte, and The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte, assisting with food distribution and community outreach efforts aimed at reducing food insecurity. Reinforcing HUASB’s commitment to service, students empowered Charlotte’s royalty by connecting youth with access to stable resources.  

Chicago, Illinois 

Restorative Justice and Youth Empowerment 

In Chicago, Illinois, under the initiatives of Restorative Justice and Youth Empowerment, HUASB students served at Alex Haley Elementary School, Perspectives IIT/Math and Science Academy, After School Matters, and Simeon Career Academy. They provided tutoring, mentorship, and guidance to the students while developing connections that will extend far beyond spring break. Howard students also journeyed to South Shore Chicago Youth Center, Westside Chicago Youth Center, and the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center with hopes of providing perspectives that would encourage youth to envision possibilities beyond their current circumstances. While serving at Erie Neighborhood House and Chicago HOPES for Kids, Howard students supported relocation initiatives, youth programming, and community outreach efforts. 

Cleveland, Ohio 

Community Health and Youth Empowerment  

HUASB partnered with schools and organizations committed to strengthening youth and family well-being in Cleveland, Ohio, under the initiatives of Community Health and Youth Empowerment. Participants served alongside educators at Bedford High School, Heskett Middle School, and Warrensville Heights High School, mentoring students, supporting classroom activities, and informing the youth of a plethora of future pathways available to them. Beyond school settings, Howard students collaborated with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio, Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Hands-On Health, MedWish Medworks, and the Salvation Army of Greater Cleveland, supporting efforts focused on literacy, health education, and access to medical supplies. Through this work, students helped connect community health with youth empowerment, reinforcing HUASB’s mission to build healthier, more equitable communities through meaningful partnership and service. 

Detroit, Michigan 

Developing Pathways to Housing Stability and Youth Holistic Wellness  

Under the initiative of Developing Pathways to Housing Stability and Youth Holistic Wellness, HUASB drove its mission to the Motor City, Detroit, Michigan. The program partnered with Cody High School and Stevenson Elementary School to mentor students, support classroom engagement, and lead conversations around goal-setting and long-term stability. Service extended outside school walls through collaboration with Detroit Blight Busters, where volunteers worked on neighborhood clean-up and beautification efforts that directly contributed to safer, more stable housing conditions. Students also supported programming with the Midnight Golf Program, reinforcing academic achievement and college readiness for Detroit youth. Through hands-on work and relationship-building, Howard students connected housing stability with holistic youth wellness, embodying HUASB’s commitment to strengthening communities at every site it touches. 

Flint, Michigan 

Environmental Justice and Youth Empowerment 

“Through each moment, we see the small impacts and the small moments where people's lives are changed by what we're doing.” - Zion Randall 

Howard  students headed to Flint, Michigan, under the initiative of Environmental Justice and Youth Empowerment, aiding various organizations focused on improving the Flint community’s environment and youth advancement. HUASB participants served alongside the youth at sites such as the Southwestern Classical Academy, Brownell K-5 STEM Academy, and Doyle-Ryder Elementary. The dedicated group of  students learned the value of uplifting your own community from the hardworking people of Flint, according to Site Coordinator Monique Lavoie. Throughout the week, HUASB supported student academic success through engaging with Flint Development Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint, and The MADE Institute. Notably, they also served with the Flint River Watershed Coalition to promote citizen ownership of natural resources and assisted the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to provide hunger relief to residents in the Flint area. 

Louisville, Kentucky 

Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Housing Stability 

In the home of the Kentucky Derby, Howard  students served in Louisville, under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Housing Stability. Partnering with schools like Maupin Elementary School and Central High School, they extended their support to various organizations in the Louisville area that share a similar mission of “truth and service.” These organizations include Home of the Innocents, a nonprofit that provides behavioral health services, foster care, and skilled nursing care for children with complex medical needs; Feed Louisville, a team of professional chefs on a mission to prevent food wastage; Cabbage Patch Settlement House, a local nonprofit that has been actively empowering youth and families to reach their fullest potential since 1910; and the Boys & Girls Club of Kentucky. When a reporter asked junior Peyton Jones “Why Louisville,” she responded, “Why not Louisville? … Why not come down to Louisville, Kentucky, and help those who need the help. Why not come down to these programs and schools and talk to the kids and talk to the teenagers, help with after-school clubs?” The exemplar of a true Bison, serving with purpose. 

Memphis, Tennessee 

Youth Empowerment and Community Development  

Under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Community Development, HUASB struck a chord in the birthplace of Rock ’n’ Roll, Memphis, Tennessee. Howard students worked alongside Olivet Fellowship Baptist Church to support the Memphis community. They assisted in combating hunger relief through combined efforts with the Mid-South Food Bank in addition to  supporting development program-based nonprofits like the Refugee Empowerment Program. Participants also contributed to serving by encouraging student success at Memphis-Shelby County Schools. In Memphis, HUASB students didn’t just make noise –– they made an impact that will resonate far beyond the spring break week. 

Milwaukee, Wisconsin 

Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention  

"Even though we are young adults, we are still having a major impact on these kids, and they really look up to us." - Ethan Sakaya  

In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Violence Prevention, HUASB partnered with Hamilton High School, Holy Redeemer Christian Academy, and Hawthorne Elementary School, where they supported classroom instruction, mentored youth, and engaged students in conversations about self worth and conflict resolution. Howard students made it their mission to let kids across Milwaukee know that they can do whatever they put their mind to. Moreover, their impact extended far beyond the classroom. In partnership with Safe & Sound, West Care Wisconsin, and City on a Hill, Howard students led violence prevention and youth advocacy efforts across the city. By joining forces with community leaders, they contributed to programming and outreach while learning from lived experiences. Students reinforced HUASB’s commitment to empowering youth and building sustainable pathways toward safer futures. 

 Nashville, Tennessee 

Developing Pathways to Food Stability and Youth Empowerment 

In Nashville, Tennessee, under the initiative of Developing Pathways to Food Stability and Youth Empowerment, HUASB partnered with An Array of Charm, Black Lemonade, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee, Metro Nashville Public Schools, The Nashville Food Project, Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, The Branch of Nashville, The Heimerdinger Foundation, and Watson Grove Baptist Church to address food insecurity and expand opportunities for youth across the city. Students supported meal preparation and distribution efforts, engaged in mentorship and enrichment activities, and collaborated with community partners dedicated to fostering economic mobility and educational advancement. Through service rooted in equity and compassion, participants contributed to strengthening food systems, empowering young people, and advancing sustainable, community-driven change throughout Nashville. 

Newark, New Jersey 

 Violence Prevention and Community Development  

HUASB headed back to Newark, New Jersey, under the initiative of Violence Prevention and Community Development, partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of Newark, Greater Life, Malcolm X Shabazz High School, Newark Street Academy, University High School, and YMCA of Newark to promote youth empowerment. Students provided mentorship, academic support, and community-based engagement activities designed to address the root causes of violence and expand positive pathways for young people. Through intentional service and collaboration with grassroots leaders, participants contributed to strengthening community networks and advancing sustainable strategies centered on prevention, healing, and long-term development. 

New Orleans, Louisiana 

Community Development and Youth Holistic Wellness 

In New Orleans, Louisiana, under the initiative of Community Development and Youth Holistic Wellness, HUASB partnered with 24 Carrots Garden, College Track New Orleans, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Charter School, George Washington Carver High School, McDonogh 35 Senior High School, New Orleans Math and Science High School, Arthur Ashe Charter School, Sankofa Wetland Park, Hope Ignites New Orleans, and Thrive New Orleans. While collaborating with these schools and community organizations, Howard students supported youth development, educational enrichment, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. Students engaged in mentorship, academic support, and urban gardening while collaborating with community leaders committed to advancing wellness and opportunity. Through hands-on service and intentional reflection, participants strengthened community partnerships and contributed to sustainable strategies that promote long-term growth, resilience, and empowerment for New Orleans youth and families. 

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

Restorative Justice and Community Development 

HUASB traveled to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under the initiative of Restorative Justice and Community Development, to spread brotherly love. Participants partnered with John Bartram High School, Overbrook High School, and Strawberry Mansion High School to mentor students, support educators, and facilitate conversations around conflict resolution, leadership, and accountability. Through after-school programming at Tustin Recreation Center, students helped cultivate environments that encouraged academic growth and positive peer engagement beyond the classroom. Their service also included a collaboration with Mothers in Charge, where they engaged in dialogue and community efforts focused on violence prevention and restorative practices. By working alongside local advocates and educators, Howard students empowered the youth and strengthened communities through meaningful action at the forefront. 

Savannah, Georgia 

Youth Holistic Wellness and Environmental Justice 

In Savannah, Georgia, under the initiative of Youth Holistic Wellness and Environmental Justice, HUASB partnered with the Frank Callen Boys & Girls Club, Hubert Middle School, James H. Coy Butler Elementary School, Savannah Dream Center, West Broad Street YMCA, and Friends with Urban Nature to advance youth development and environmental restoration efforts. Students engaged in mentorship, health and wellness programming, and community-based environmental projects aimed at promoting equitable access to healthy spaces and resources. Through collaborative service and reflective practice, participants supported local leaders in fostering resilience, strengthening community health, and empowering young people to thrive in sustainable and vibrant neighborhoods. Reflecting on the student’s contributions, an organizer at Friends with Urban Nature, told reporters at WTOC how impactful the assistance of Howard students was during their time in Savannah.

 St. Louis, Missouri 

Youth Empowerment and Community Health and Wellness

In St. Louis, Missouri, under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Community Health and Wellness, HUASB partnered with Adams Elementary School, Covenant House Missouri, St. Louis Area Foodbank, Sumner High School, and Washington Montessori Elementary School to promote youth development and strengthen community health initiatives. Students took part in mentorship, academic enrichment, and food distribution efforts while supporting organizations dedicated to housing stability, wellness services, and empowerment programming. Through intentional service and partnership, participants contributed to advancing equitable access to resources and fostering sustainable pathways for young people and families throughout the St. Louis community. 

 Trenton, New Jersey 

Youth Holistic Wellness and Community Development   

Under the initiative of Youth Holistic Wellness and Community Development, HUASB served in Trenton, New Jersey, partnering with Upward Bound, a federally funded college access program that supports students from underserved communities. Through this collaboration, the program provided mentorship and academic guidance for students at Trenton’s 9th Grade Academy, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, and Trenton Central High School. Outside of classrooms and through after-school programs, Howard students aided in supporting Trenton’s youth through the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County, where they provided educational assistance, counseling, and guidance. 

Washington, D.C. 

Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability

Homebound in Washington, D.C., under the initiative of Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability, HUASB participants poured into their local community by partnering with schools and community organizations dedicated to educational access and food justice. Students served at Anacostia High School, Center City Public Charter School, and Friendship Armstrong Elementary and Middle School, mentoring youth on college pathways and healthy nutritional decision-making. Service extended beyond school walls through collaboration with Bread for the City and Martha’s Table, where volunteers supported food distribution and community outreach efforts addressing food insecurity. At East Capitol Urban Farm, students engaged in hands-on agricultural work, reinforcing the connection between sustainable food systems, education, and long-term community wellness. Through these collaborations, Howard students lived out HUASB’s mission of uplifting young people and expanding fair access to the resources that nurture long-term growth in the community they’ve come to know as a second home.