More than 1,200 students from Howard University will depart Washington on Saturday, March 7, launching the university’s annual Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) program — one of the largest student-led service initiatives of its kind in the United States. Throughout the weeklong program, students will travel to more than 22 cities across 13 states and Washington, D.C., working alongside local nonprofits, advocacy organizations, schools, and community leaders under this year’s theme, “Service with Impact: Empowering Communities & Dismantling Disparities.” Participants will engage in service-learning projects designed to address real community needs, from education and food security to housing, health advocacy, and youth mentorship.

In preparation for the trip, students organized the annual HUASB Radiothon fundraiser on Saturday, March 1, hosted in partnership with WHUR 96.3 FM. During the event, students formed a highly visible “bucket brigade” along Georgia Avenue NW in Washington, D.C., collecting donations from community members and supporters to help fund travel and service materials. 

During the service week, Howard students will partner with organizations in Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Florida, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Activities will include volunteering in local schools, supporting community development organizations, hosting youth workshops, and assisting nonprofits addressing systemic inequities. Organizers say the program’s structure ensures students work directly with community leaders to ensure projects align with locally identified needs.

This year marks the 32nd anniversary of Howard University Alternative Spring Break, continuing a tradition rooted in the university’s motto of truth and service. 

Here's a Sneak Peak of Some of our Service Project Sites Nationwide:

Atlanta, GA: Youth Holistic Wellness and Developing Pathways to Food and Housing Stability 

• Fountain Of Hope Service Date: March 12
• William M. Boyd Elementary School Service Date: March 9-13 
• Department of Parks and Recreation Service Date: March 11-12 

Asheville, NC - Youth Holistic Wellness  

• My Daddy Taught Me That Service Date: March 9-12  
• Asheville Peak Academy Service Date: March 9-13
• Delta House Life Development of Asheville Service Date: March 9-12 

Baltimore, MD - Restorative Justice and Community Development  

• Holistic Life Foundation Service Date: March 11-12
• Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School Service Date: March 9-13
• Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School Service Date: March 9-13 

Charlotte, NC - Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability 

• Hope For Harvest Service Date: March 10-12 
• Zealous Empowering Nurturer Service Date: March 11 

Chicago, IL - Youth Empowerment and Restorative Justice 

• Chicago Youth Centers - Sidney Epstein Youth Center Service Date: March 9-12
• Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Service Date: March 10-11
• Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy - Perspectives Charter Schools Service Date: March 9-13 

Detroit, MI - Developing Pathways to Housing Stability and Youth Holistic Wellness  

• Stevenson Elementary School Service Date: March 9-10 and March 12-13 
• Midnight Golf Program Service Date: March 11-12 
• Driven By Growth Service Date: March 9-10 and March 12-13 

Washington, D.C. - Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability 

• Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Service Date: March 7 
• East Capitol Urban Farm Service Date: March 9-12  
• Anacostia Highschool Service Date: March 9-13 
• Martha’s Table Service Date: March 11-12 
• Community Development Faith Exploration  Service Date: March 9 

A more detailed view of media-ready service sites can be found HERE

Visit the official HUASB page at
https://chapel.howard.edu/HUASB.

More information about Howard University Alternative Spring Break and its history is also available through Howard University Chapel at https://chapel.howard.edu.