This weekend long alternative break will be focused on homelessness and the effects this issue has on the community of Boston. In the past, participants have volunteered at agencies such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other organizations focused on serving the homeless population. Through direct and indirect service, participants will be able to serve and learn about this population and how to advocate for those affected by homelessness. Participants will be staying at a church in downtown Boston. The group will meet for four times prior to the trip weekend and will meet once or twice after.

Trip Size: 12 student participants, 1 student trip director and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $60.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Caitlin Bisaillon
uconn.co.boston@gmail.com

Trip Size: Approximately 11 Storrs student participants, 11 Avery Point student participants, 2 student trip directors and 2 staff
Participant Cost: $80.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible for Storrs students) (ASG may fund 50% if eligible for AP students)

Storrs Trip Director: Anita Luxkaranayagam
Avery Point Trip Director: Doria Daviau
uconn.co.groton@gmail.com

During this weekend long alternative break, participants will be staying at a church in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and will be working with agencies that focus on supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS. In the past we have assisted with reducing harm for risky behaviors that can lead to HIV, and created safe sex kits for outreach workers. The group will meet for four times prior to the trip weekend and will meet once or twice after.

Trip Size: 12 student participants, 1 student trip director and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $90.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Daniela Paredes
uconn.co.newyork@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Community Development
Location: Los Jazmines, Costa Rica

Trip Dates: January 5th (TBD)–20th, 2019

During this two week long alternative break, participants will be staying in the local school and working with a community organization and community members in Los Jazmines located near Upala in the Alajuela Province of Costa Rica. The trip will be continuing their partnership with Reto Juvenil Internacional (RJI). The trip focus has historically consisted of a build project followed by educational workshops. The specific projects and workshops are determined on a yearly basis as a result of a community needs assessment run through RJI. UConn students in the past have built a healthcare center, storage and new bathrooms for the school, and an annex to the healthcare center.  UConn students have also painted murals for the school.  This trip will have 8 pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

UConn student participants must be in good University standing to participate in this experience and agree to a specific policy guide for this international experience.

Valid passports and various vaccinations are required.
Costa Rica requires passports to be valid at least 6 months post departure from the country.

Trip Size: 12 student participants, 1 student trip director, and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $1,470.00 (USG funding not available)

Trip Director: Kaitlyn Luft
uconn.co.costarica@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Urban Poverty & Civil Rights
Location: Birmingham, AL

Trip Dates: January 12th – 20th, 2019

This week-long trip will focus on urban poverty in the city of Birmingham, Alabama. We will be serving the local community in various areas of need while exploring the roots of urban poverty, and how it affects community members of many different backgrounds. This will in turn help students explore their identities and roles as community members here at UConn.  This trip will have 8 pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

Trip Size: 45 participants, 1 student trip director, 1 student assistant trip director, 3 student team leaders, and 4 staff
Participant Cost: $270.00 (USG funding not available); Team Leader Cost: $135.00 (USG funding not available)

Trip Director: Ajeet Sandhu
Assistant Trip Director: Heather Allstrom
uconn.co.birmingham@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Rural Poverty in the Appalachian Region
Location: Cosby, TN

Participants of this Alternative Break Trip will spend an immersive week in Tennessee working with Sunset Gap. Potential projects include working in their thrift shop, home repairs, serving meals at a local soup kitchen, donation warehouse organization, and food distribution.  Participants will also get the opportunity to connect with their team, meet community members and learn about rural poverty in the area during the eight pre-trip meetings.  This trip will also include one to two post-trip meetings

Trip Size: 45 participants, 1 student trip director, 1 student assistant trip director, 3 team leaders, and 4 staff
Participant Cost: $520.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible); Team Leader Cost: $TBD (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Anthonia Wray
Assistant Trip Director: Matthew Boyer
uconn.co.appalachia@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Migrant Farmworkers & Agricultural Communities
Location: Immokalee, FL

This week-long alternative break focuses on the struggles of migrant farmworkers, a community vital to the success of the agricultural industry but one often forgotten about by consumers.  Participants will work with local organizations to learn more about the living and working conditions of migrant farmworkers, and support advocating for this population.  Other work may potentially involve community projects related, but not limited, to immigration rights, healthcare, disaster relief, education, and human trafficking. This trip includes eight pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meeting.

Trip Size: 12 participants, 1 student trip director, and 1 staff.
Participant Cost: $860.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible for Storrs participants)

Trip Director: Jonathon Hastings
uconn.co.florida@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Environmental Conservation
Location: Mystery

This week long alternative break trip is intended to make participants more knowledgeable about environmental conservation efforts and the issues of climate change in the context of the National Parks System. Students will participate in various environmental clean-up and restoration projects relevant to the local ecosystem in a mystery national park and will learn about the intersectionality of environmental issues with the greater social issues of the area. This break will involve boating, physical activity, and a prominent educational component. Students will learn to become more active citizens in the context of environmental activism on both local and global scales. This trip includes eight pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

Trip Size: 12 participants, 1 student trip director, and 1 staff.
Participant Cost: $860.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible for Storrs participants)

Trip Director: Michael Costello
uconn.co.mystery@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Cultural Preservation & Rural Poverty with the Cherokee Nation
Location: Tahlequah, OK

During this week-long alternative break trip students will be living and working within the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. This is a great opportunity to be immersed in Native American culture and assist the Cherokee community through meaningful service. In the past, we have met with local leaders to discuss current issues facing the Cherokee Nation, restored a community center, built wheelchair ramps for people with disabilities, repaired houses for the elderly and participated in cultural activities. To learn more about the Cherokee Nation, visit this website.  This trip includes eight pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

Trip Size: 12 participants, 1 student trip director, 1 staff
Participant Cost: $860.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Patrick Briody
uconn.co.oklahoma@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Healthcare Access & Education
Location: Philadelphia, PA

During this week-long alternative break, students will be hosted in a church facility in Philadelphia and will work in the city on a variety of healthcare issues. Participants in past years have worked with all age groups from children to the elderly in order to provide the care or comfort that these individuals need. Groups have prepared and delivered meals to those with healthcare needs, interacted with children in hospitals, and helped educate the uninsured about the Affordable Care Act. Participants will engage in both direct and indirect service opportunities through this trip. This trip includes eight pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

Trip Size: 18 participants, 1 student trip director, 1 student assistant trip director and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $240.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Nicole Dutka
Assistant Trip Director: Michael Sullivan
uconn.co.philly@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Homelessness, Urban Poverty & Political Action
Location: Washington D.C.

This week-long trip to Washington D.C., focused on homelessness, urban poverty and political action, will include direct service and emphasize education and advocacy. In past years, we have worked with organizations focusing on issues such as food security, affordable housing, legal services, and education. Possible community partners include Martha’s Table, Kid Power Inc., the Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless, and the Capitol Area Food Bank.  Additionally, participants may have the opportunity to meet with a political leader to better understand advocacy and political action.  This trip includes eight pre-trip meetings and one to two post-trip meetings.

Trip Size: 12 participants, 1 student trip director, 1 staff
Participant Cost: $240.00(USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Rohit Sinha
uconn.co.dc@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Homelessness
Location: Boston, MA

This weekend long alternative break will be focused on homelessness and the effects this issue has on the community of Boston. In the past, participants have volunteered at agencies such as homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and other organizations focused on serving the homeless population. Through direct and indirect service, participants will be able to serve and learn about this population and how to advocate for those affected by homelessness. Participants will be staying at a church in downtown Boston. The group will meet for four times prior to the trip weekend and will meet once or twice after.

Trip Size: 12 students, 1 student trip director, 1 staff
Participant Cost: $60.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Caitlin Bisaillon
uconn.co.boston@gmail.com

Trip Focus: Food Insecurity in Urban Envrionments
Location: New Haven, CT

During this weekend trip, participants will be staying in New Haven, CT and volunteering at local non-profits focusing on food justice and food insecurity.  Participants will become aware of New Haven and other Connecticut area food deserts and work with agencies combating this issue.  Typical service involves working on community gardens or with soup kitchens.  The group will meet for four times prior to the weekend and will meet once or twice after the trip.

Trip Size: 12 students, 1 student trip director, and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $90.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Anita Luxkaranayagam
uconn.co.newhaven@gmail.com

Trip Focus: HIV/AIDS Awareness & Advocacy
Location: New York City, NY

During this weekend long alternative break, participants will be staying at a church in the Lower East Side of Manhattan and will be working with agencies that focus on supporting people affected by HIV/AIDS. In the past we have assisted with reducing harm for risky behaviors that can lead to HIV, and created safe sex kits for outreach workers. The group will meet for four times prior to the trip weekend and will meet once or twice after.

Trip Size: 12 students, 1 student trip director, and 1 staff
Participant Cost: $90.00 (USG to fund 50% if eligible)

Trip Director: Daniela Paredes
uconn.co.newyork@gmail.com