Project Volunteer proposes option to 'typical' spring break: community service

Break Away, a University of Arizona Project Volunteer program, will take students to Imuris, Mexico to do community service this spring break. The trip is scheduled for March 15 through 22.

Founded at Vanderbilt University in 1991, Break Away began on the UA campus last year. In its first year, 12 students traveled to Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Mexico to volunteer at Boys' and Girls' Clubs and homeless shelters.

"I think it's a very beneficial program. It allows students to do a service for the community and see how fortunate they are at the same time," said Don Frerichs, Alternative Breaks Program Director for Project Volunteer. Frerichs is a senior majoring in Latin American Studies and Spanish and is president of the UA Interfraternity Council.

This year, students will build a playground for disabled students at an elementary school in Imuris, said Suzanne Stalcup, a higher education graduate student and an assistant for the Center for Service Learning.

"They need a place to play. There are a lot of kids in the community without any place to go, so the main focus of the trip will be the playground," Stalcup said.

Designed and coordinated by past student participants, Break Away is an alcohol- and substance-free program.

One goal of Break Away coordinators is to enhance group activity, said Laura Teso, coordinator for Service Learning.

After the trip, each participant will be asked to reflect on what their service made them feel, Teso said.

"They (Break Away participants) are meeting once a week to get to know each other," Teso said.

The group has team-building activities and discussions focusing on its impact on the community and the experience of doing the job, Stalcup said.

Two UA buses will be available for transport to Imuris, but students with cars have the option of driving, Frerichs said.

Last year, food and lodging was provided by the community of Imuris. This year, Break Away participants will stay in a church, Frerichs said.

Even so, students are advised to bring spending money.

"I tell them to bring about 50 dollars in case they want to eat out sometime," Frerichs said.

Break Away currently has 25 volunteers, and program coordinators hope to add five more.

"Ideally, we'd like to take as many students as we can. Only having myself in charge, I'm limited to about 30 people," Frerichs said.

The Project Volunteer program can also include Pima Community College students.

Students interested in the Break Away Alternative Spring Break can attend a meeting this Thursday at 7 p.m. in Memorial Student Union Room 281.