Hello Donors,

Here is update #2 for the Alternative Service Break (ASB) Program! The Spring ASB trips worked with nonprofits in North and South Carolina. Take a look at a few pictures from their experiences! At the end of each service day, both groups came together each evening to cook, fellowship, and reflect on the impact of their trip topics on communities. 

Spring Break (March 4-9th)

Racial Justice 

The Racial Justice Team partnered with Youth Mission Co for 4 days in Charleston, SC to serve Water Mission International, Neighbors Together, Charleston Uplift, and Charleston Community Potluck. The mission of the Youth Mission is “to immerse young people in one of the oldest cities of our nation. Participants learn about the area’s rich history as well as the current situation of the city.  From slavery to today’s racial-economic disparity, Charleston Youth Mission looks at the common threads, serves our neighbors, and reflects on God’s call for justice and equity for all.” The team served meals to individuals experiencing food insecurity in Charleston, they sorted food and clothing donations, cooked food for a community potluck, and worked with a solar-powered water system. 

Sustainability

The Sustainability Team served alongside Woodland Harvest Mountain Farm for 4 days in West Jefferson, NC. The mission of the Woodland Farm is “As stewards of the land, we grow and sustain our food and energy, offer teaching and learning opportunities to build personal and community resilience, help build bartering networks to manifest resources within and throughout our communities, continue learning about the native ecosystems of the Southern Appalachia bioregion, the drought-ridden lands of California, and the many other lands we visit, create and share medicinal plants, foods, art, goods and skills and give thanks to the abundance and joy that surrounds us always!” This group did a number of things to help with the farm’s mission. They cleared areas of brush on the land, un-planted and re-planted trees, chopped lots of wood, built two benches, reorganized some cabins, and did some compost/garden work. 

Environmental Justice 

The Environmental Justice Team served with Audubon Center at Francis Beidler Forest for 3 days in Harleyville, SC. The mission of the Audubon is “to protect birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow.” Volunteer groups who work with Audubon are able to learn about conservation techniques as well as help them in their mission to maintain the lands. The Environmental Justice group worked on a number of environmental projects to help the organization in their efforts. They did some deep cleaning of signs, helped with a controlled burn of the land, learned a lot about conservation practices, and helped restore historical landscapes and habitats.

Hello Donors,

Thank you all for your generous donations for the Alternative Service Break (ASB) Program. As our students wrap up their fall semester and Finals, we wanted to provide you with an update on the progress in our program this semester. The Fall ASB trips stayed in the Charlotte community and worked with non-profits in the area. Take a look at a few pictures from both of their experiences! At the end of each service day, both groups can together each evening to cook, fellowship and reflect on the impact of their trip topics on our community. 

Fall Break (October 20-24th)

Housing & Food Insecurity

The HFI Team served at the Jamil Niner Student Pantry and Habitat 4 Humanity. The mission of the Student Pantry is to assist UNC Charlotte Undergraduate and Graduate students who are experiencing food insecurity.

Sustainability

The Sustainability Team served with The Park Community Development Corporation over the break! The group spent three days serving at Sunset Farm by building, filling, planting pollinator beds, dressing walking paths with wood chips in the garden, and creating produce nutrition signage to increase health literacy. Take a look at their videos about various produce found at local grocery stores.

What's next?!

Spring Break (March 3-8th)

Over Spring Break we will host three trips outside of Charlotte: Environmental Justice, Racial Justice, and Sustainability. Our site leaders have formed connections with a community partner that focuses on their trip topic. For now, participant applications are open until January 15th, 2024 and we are still raising funds to make these trips possible. 

Thank you so much again for your support, we couldn't do it without you!