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Step #1: Submit your application by the deadline
Submit your application to participate in an Alternative Break experience by 11:59 p.m. on the dates outlined below. On the application, you have the option to indicate your top two (2) trip experience preferences. Your application will be considered for both trip preferences.
Alternative Spring Break: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Alternative Summer Break: Thursday, March 7, 2019
Step #2: Alternative Break reviews your application.
Alternative Break program reviews applications. Students are notified by email, no later than the Monday following the deadline date if they are or are not selected for their trip preference(s).
If you applied for Alternative Spring Break, you will be notified by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 18, 2019 of your application status (accepted/not accepted/waitlist).
If you applied for Alternative Summer Break, you will be notified by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, March 11, 2019 of your application status (accepted/not accepted/waitlist).
Step #3: If selected, submit your deposit payment.
If you are accepted to participate in an Alternative Break trip experience, you have seven (7) days from the application deadline to submit a deposit payment to confirm their participation (credit, cash, or check). A link to make an online credit card transaction will be emailed to the one you provided in your application. Cash or check payments can be dropped off to South Wing 130, Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00 p.m. If you fail to submit a deposit payment by the trip-specific deadline below, your spot will be offered to a student on the waiting list. Students experiencing financial difficulties or other extenuating circumstances, but are committed to participating, are asked to speak directly with Aurora Schunk, Assistant Director.
Deposit payment deadlines are the following dates:
Alternative Spring Break: Sunday, February 24, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.
Alternative Summer Break: Sunday, March 17, 2019 by 11:59 p.m.
If you have questions about this process please email, call 716-878-3919, or stop by South Wing 130
When: Saturday, March 23 - Saturday, March 30, 2019
Where: Columbus, OH
Application Deadline: Thursday, February 14 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Deposit and Final Payment Deadlines: Deposit: February 22, $75; Final Payment March 9, $105
Site Leaders: Olu Adeniji and Jadelyn Martinez
Pre-Trip Orientation Meetings: Thursdays, 12:15-1:30 p.m., February 21-March 21, 2019.
February 21 12:15-1:30 p.m.
February 28 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 7 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 14 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 21 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Spend your spring break learning more about social justice and how community programs are making a positive impact in the lives of middle and high school youth in Columbus, OH and practicing restorative justice. This Alternative Break service experience will work collaboratively and support the YMCA of Central Ohio's Positive Alternative Learning for Students (PALS) program. The goal of PALS is to provide a positive alternative for students who receive three, five, and ten day suspensions from school. In working directly with the school system, students are given the opportunity to stay in a supportive environment where they are encouraged to work on their educational and personal goals, while enagaging in restorative justice practices in small group settings. Throughout the week, the team of Buffalo State students will work with 6th-12th grade youth enrolled in the PALS program to mentor and provide 1:1 support. The team of students will also connect with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and local justice organizations to learn the tools to advocate for and create a more equitable world beyond the one week of spring break.
Alternative Break trip experiences are open to all Buffalo State students from any major, but this experience may be ideal for you if
you are a Criminal Justice major and are curious about prevention measures;
you are an Education (elementary, secondary, or exceptional) or Social Work major who would like hands-on experiences with restorative justice practices with middle and high school youth;
you are passionate about and interested in learning more about restorative justice practices, advocacy, and legal work;
you'd like to serve as a mentor and provide one-on-one support;
you're a Sociology or Anthropology major looking to have an immersion experience in social justice.
When: Sunday, March 24 - Saturday, March 30, 2019
Where: Cleveland, OH
Application Deadline: Thursday, February 14 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Deposit and Final Payment Deadlines: Deposit: February 22, $75; Final Payment March 9, $105
Site Leaders: Mikayla Achtyl and Caity Heffler
Pre-Trip Orientation Meetings: Tuesdays, 12:15-1:30 p.m., February 19-March 19, 2019
February 19th, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
February 26th, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 5th, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 12th, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
March 19th, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Where you'll live and when you'll eat next are concerns that every human being has. For some, the answer to those questions is more difficult to answer. During spring break, Buffalo State students will be responding to the question and unlearning misconceptions such as who is hungry and why is someone homeless, through service projects with the Food Bank of Greater Cleveland, the City Mission, Kid's Book Bank, and Habitat for Humanity. At the Food Bank, the student team will prepare lunches for community members visit senior centers and dinners for youth in afterschool programs across the city. At the City Mission's Laura's House, a residential shelter for women and children, you'll entertain kids with activities and enrichment during an Adopt-a-Day Program (since they'll be off school for spring break too!). Reading is critical to ensure success in school and in life, so at the Kid's Book Bank, you'll volunteer and put a book in the hands of a child living in Cleveland. Finally, the week will be wrapped up through serving with Habitat for Humanity, an organization known for strengthening communities through affordable home ownership. Be a part of making a positive impact on the community with Alternative Break!
Alternative Break trip experiences are open to all Buffalo State students from any major, but this experience may be ideal for you if
yu are a Health, Nutrition, and Dietetics major who is curious about food issues that exist beyond the textbook;
you have an interest in combatting food insecurity and hunger;
You're a Social Work, Sociology, or Anthropology major and you'd like to be immersed in an experience where you'll see the connection between food and housing;
you're a Political Science major and you want to learn more about the impact of policies.
When: Saturday, March 23 - Sunday, March 31, 2019
Where: Washington D.C.
Application Deadline: Thursday, February 14 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Deposit and Final Payment Deadlines: Deposit: February 22, $60; Final Payment March 9, $200
Hosted by: Buffalo State Center for Global Engagement**
Orientation Meetings: Thursday, February 28, 12:15-1:30 p.m.; three (3) additional orientation meetings will be arranged based on the group's schedule.
**This experience is being planned and led by the Global Engagement Office at Buffalo State and will include a connection with international students studying in the United States.**
The US Capital, Washington DC, has struggles just like many other cities around the world. Hunger is one of them. The Alternative Break program is committed to working alongside nonprofit organizations in the local community to combat hunger and support two organizations that work to support this great need. Spend your Spring Break making a difference at our nation’s capital. The Capital Area Food Bank is the largest organization in the Washington metro area working to solve hunger issues around health concerns. Students will volunteer part of the week with this amazing organization. At a second organization, DC Central Kitchen, we will assist with meal preparation for area shelters. A cultural program with American University will occur one evening. Students will have the opportunity to tour various historical sites to be reminded of the American dream, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that should include a basic need of food.
This service experience, led by the Global Engagement Office is ideal for you if
you are a Social Work, Sociology, or Anthropology major with a desire to combat poverty;
you are an international student who would like to learn more about daily lives in the United States;
you are a U.S. student interested in a cross-cultural experience in which you can explore issues in the Untied States alongside the perspectives of international students;
you would like to learn more practices that are being employed to decrease the number of families experiencing homelessness and hunger.
When: Sunday, May 19 - Sunday, May 26, 2019
Where: Baltimore, MD
Application Deadline: Thursday, March 8 at 12:00 a.m. (midnight)
Deposit and Final Payment Deadlines: Deposit: March 15, $75; Final Payment April 12, $TBD
Site Leaders: Rachel Shafer and Ashley Zapp
Pre-Trip Orientation Meetings: Tuesdays, 12:15-1:30 p.m., April 2-April 30, 2019
Orientation #1: April 2, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Orientation #2: April 9, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Orientation #3: April 16, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Orientation #4: April 23, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Orientation #5: April 30, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Spend your first week of summer break learning about the connection between food security, nutrition, and health outcomes. Through hands-on projects and experiences, students will come to understand the complex situations that many Americans face every day and how they can fight hunger in their community on a daily basis. In volunteering with nonprofit organizations during the week, students will learn about the various initiatives to increase access to nutritious and healthy food in Baltimore communities, break down stigmas and misconceptions related to hunger, and learn how communities are working to combat hunger while being mindful of the environment and sustainability. Through collaborative projects with nonprofit parterns, including the 6th Branch and Baltimore Free Farm, students will work with their hands on urban farms, deliver food with a local mobile food market, and find a path that they can take to combat food insecurity in their own communities.
