The Alternative Service Break Board at the University of Louisville is a program of the Engage Lead Serve Board with a mission to create active citizens through direct service. Since 2015, Alternative Service Break Board (ASBB) has been impacting local, national and international communities.

This ASB trip focused on the LGBTQ+ Youth and Homeless populations in Atlanta and the issues surrounding their circumstances. Our group became immersed into the culture of Atlanta by staying in the Lydia House, which is an renovated church in the center of the city. We volunteered for four days at various locations that focus on LGBTQ+ Youth and Homeless citizens. Most of us on the trip have a close connection to one or both of these populations.

We left in December, the day after finals. Throughout the course of our trip, we worked alongside three non-profit organizations. The first, called City of Light,聽helps create safe spaces for all people. Here, we deconstructed office spaces and classrooms, moved furniture and chairs, and helped organize and create pamphlets for people who wanted to be members of this organization. Our group chose to work with the City of Light because of its commitment to creating safe spaces for students and other folks who identity on the the LGBTQ+ spectrum.

Our second location was Lost-N-Found, which is an non-profit dedicated to end homeless for the LGBTQ+ Youth. Here, we organized clothing, books and CDs for the organization’s thrift shop. We also created more than 100 hygiene and care packages for its nonprofit arm, called CHRIS 180. While we dropped off the kits, we were able to tour different spaces and programs that are available to the people of Atlanta.聽

We chose this organization because its proceeds go toward outreach, a transitional home and an LGBTQ+ Youth center.聽

On the last day of the trip, we traveled throughout Atlanta to different museums and local hot spots, such as the Civil Rights and Human Rights Museum, Centennial Park, and the Flying Biscuit Cafe.

Overall, our was a success because it was the first completely student-run trip outside of the state of Kentucky. Our work with the three different organizations made up a total of 340 hours of community service, which equates to a full-time employee working for 8.5 weeks.

Our overall purpose was to focus on how an individual or group can leave an great impact on a local or national community. Since our return, we are now more equipped to serve the Louisville community with a passion for service.

鈥淭he Alternative Service Break (ASB) program traveled to Baltimore for six days with a group of 15 passionate undergraduate and graduate students and one staff advisor for Spring Break 2017. They performed over 200 hours of service to the Baltimore community.

Half of the group worked with the Living Classrooms Foundation, where they did art projects and played games with children in an after-school program. Kat Gries, one of two undergraduate student leaders for this ASB, used her skills and background as a student in the College of 成人直播 to plan the lessons and activities. The experience was transformative for undergraduate student Krista Mills, who changed her major from nursing to education when she returned after her service at Living Classrooms helped her realize her true passion was for children.

The other group focused their service on working with three urban farms. In between weeding, planting 2,000 seeds and cutting vines and branches despite brisk winds and snow, UofL students took part in impactful conversations about food sovereignty and the consequences of labeling areas as food deserts.

The rewarding trip transformed the students, making them even more passionate about taking active roles in our community, our country and our world.

Aliyah Gant, an accounting major, said she 鈥榣eft this trip with a rejuvenated hope in humanity, new knowledge, new ideas for Louisville service and new connections to like-minded people on campus.鈥欌��

Alternative Service Break trips, organized by聽UofL Student Leadership and Service in the Office of Student Involvement, are designed to facilitate service learning as well as build awareness about community issues. Each trip focuses on a theme or social issue to challenge students to think critically about root causes and the student鈥檚 role within the community. Previous ASB trips have been to communities聽such as Asheville, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and the Galapagos Islands.

The students are from a variety of different disciplines including education, nursing, criminal justice, biology, engineering, business and psychology.

Janet Cappiello contributed to this story, which has been updated since it was originally posted in March.聽