Spring Break
URI students plan trip to help rebuild Gulf Coast
Chris Curtis
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
Volunteers will work with the Birmingham branch of the international nonprofit Habitat for Humanity, a group that works to create affordable housing for the underprivileged.
Groups participating in past trips with the program have done construction as well as heavy renovation.
Unlike the Hillel trip, the Academic Alternative trip is associated with a 3-credit elective class, section 4 of Community Service 302.
The class, which meets once per week, will discuss issues of poverty, homelessness and social action in the United States and will culminate in the creation of a personal portfolio by each student.
Many members of the Hillel group said they were surprised by the extent of the damage to the city of New Orleans more than two years after the fact.
"I was familiar with the situation but I don't think I realized … how much damage there was and how much money they still needed," senior Leah Schechtman said.
Not only did students participating in the Hillel trip give up their winter vacation time, but they contributed toward the funding of the trip.
Although partly funded by Hillel, and with airfare subsidized by a private donor, each student was required to contribute roughly $250.
Faris expects a similar arrangement for the Alternative Spring Break. Of the expenses, including ground transportation and food costs, students will be required to pay airfare as well as a $100 affiliate fee to the Birmingham branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Faris said she hopes to cover other expenses through fund raising and outside donations.
The URI President's Office and Student Life, as well as a Boston business, have contributed to the group's expenses, and Faris said she is confident that further donations will be received.
Faris explained this ensures that prospective participants are fully aware of all that the class entails.
While she recognizes the inherent sacrifices for students in trips such as Hillel's and the Alternative Spring Break, she champions the value of the experience.
"You're not going to be pampered during this week, you're going to be working your tail off, but, at the same time, you're going to have a great deal of fun," said Faris.
Despite the cost, the difficulty, and the sacrifice of valuable vacation time, students interviewed from the Hillel group were unanimous in their endorsement of the experience.
"I think it's to be expected that you're going to work, it's not by any means a relaxing vacation … but it was a great experience, I'm really happy I did it," senior Adam Greenberg said.
Presently, 17 students are enrolled in CSV 302, eight short of the 25 volunteers stipulated in the contract with Habitat for Humanity. Students interested in enrolling should contact Faris at gle8264u@postoffice.uri.edu for a permission number.
Groups participating in past trips with the program have done construction as well as heavy renovation.
Unlike the Hillel trip, the Academic Alternative trip is associated with a 3-credit elective class, section 4 of Community Service 302.
The class, which meets once per week, will discuss issues of poverty, homelessness and social action in the United States and will culminate in the creation of a personal portfolio by each student.
Many members of the Hillel group said they were surprised by the extent of the damage to the city of New Orleans more than two years after the fact.
"I was familiar with the situation but I don't think I realized … how much damage there was and how much money they still needed," senior Leah Schechtman said.
Not only did students participating in the Hillel trip give up their winter vacation time, but they contributed toward the funding of the trip.
Although partly funded by Hillel, and with airfare subsidized by a private donor, each student was required to contribute roughly $250.
Faris expects a similar arrangement for the Alternative Spring Break. Of the expenses, including ground transportation and food costs, students will be required to pay airfare as well as a $100 affiliate fee to the Birmingham branch of Habitat for Humanity.
Faris said she hopes to cover other expenses through fund raising and outside donations.
The URI President's Office and Student Life, as well as a Boston business, have contributed to the group's expenses, and Faris said she is confident that further donations will be received.
Faris explained this ensures that prospective participants are fully aware of all that the class entails.
While she recognizes the inherent sacrifices for students in trips such as Hillel's and the Alternative Spring Break, she champions the value of the experience.
"You're not going to be pampered during this week, you're going to be working your tail off, but, at the same time, you're going to have a great deal of fun," said Faris.
Despite the cost, the difficulty, and the sacrifice of valuable vacation time, students interviewed from the Hillel group were unanimous in their endorsement of the experience.
"I think it's to be expected that you're going to work, it's not by any means a relaxing vacation … but it was a great experience, I'm really happy I did it," senior Adam Greenberg said.
Presently, 17 students are enrolled in CSV 302, eight short of the 25 volunteers stipulated in the contract with Habitat for Humanity. Students interested in enrolling should contact Faris at gle8264u@postoffice.uri.edu for a permission number.
