Alternative Service Break

Alternative Service Break (ASB) is a unique volunteer experience during which students forgo their traditional spring break activities and engage in direct service in a community outside of their own. Whether students are building houses, cleaning up after storms, or playing with kids/animals; students will learn about new cultures, social issues, and how to be active citizens.

We are seeking funding for Alternative Service Break in order to make the trips more affordable for our students and create a program that can grow to reach more locations in and outside of the United States. Our hope is to use these funds to help offset the cost of food and lodging for these trips, in addition to creating scholarships for the students. 

Alternative Service Break began in the 2019-2020 year, and while the pandemic affected how these trips looked for a year, the program picked back up and grew and grew, eventually spanning both Fall and Spring Break with 3 trips happening this spring. 

The ASB Team is made up of wonderful students and staff. There is one advisor for the program, Janique Sanders, then two ASB student Coordinators, Breyonna Brannon and Jessica Whitaker.

Each trip has two students who serve as Site Leaders. Site Leaders are the heart and soul of these trips as they plan and organize the trips from beginning to end. They connect with our community partners, plan the travel, and recruit the participants. Each trip has one staff member, or Learning Partner, to chaperone. Learning Partners are active participants in the week of service, but also ensure safety for the extent of the trip. 

FALL LEADERS:

Jordan Rose

Major: Exercise Science

Minor: Child and Family Development

Year: Junior

"Hi! My name is Jordan Rose, and I am a current junior here at UNC Charlotte. I am excited to be leading an Alternative Service Break Trip in the fall! I’m ready to give back and have an unforgettable experience! "

Hope Jamison

Major: Social Work

Year: Graduate Student

"Hello everyone, I’m Hope! I love dogs, frappes, and stickers, as well as helping others."

SPRING LEADERS:

Madison Freeman

Major: Pre-Exercise Science

Minor: Africana Studies minor

Year: Junior

"Heyyy I'm Madison Freeman. I love to help out my community, friends, or family in every way I can. I also love being around my loved ones no matter what we are doing."

Makayla Sutton

Major: Criminal Justice and Sociology 

Year: Senior

"Hi everyone! I am a fun and dedicated leader, excited to continue building students and our communities through ASB for my third year!"

Ysabelle Blaine

Major: International Business, Spanish 

Minor: Philosophy

Year: Sophomore

"Hello :)! My name is Ysabelle and I am super excited to lead an Alternative Service Trip!  I like to crochet, paint, read, and skateboard."

AnaCarolyna Harris

Major: Psychology, 

Minor: Child and Family Development

Year: Senior

"Hi, my name is AnaCarolyna. I am a senior psychology major with a minor in child and family development. This is my 2nd year as an ASB leader, and I am so excited for the service and impact that is to come with this upcoming trip! Thank you!"

Morgan Arnold

Major: Environmental Science

Year: Sophomore

"Hey everyone! I’m super excited to be leading our spring ASB trip with Varshi! Outside of trip planning, you can catch me playing the piccolo in the marching band. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure together and make some incredible memories this spring!"

Varshi Rayapalli

Major: Mechanical Engineering 

Minor: Mathematics

Year: Junior 

"I’m super excited to share that I’ll be leading an ASB trip this year with Morgan, all about conserving the great outdoors! As someone who loves exploring nature, I can’t wait to dive into this adventure with all of you.  When I’m not outside, you can usually find me tinkering with robotics or getting lost in a good fantasy novel.  Let’s make some unforgettable memories together!"

Here is more information about our Spring 2025 trips!

1. Environmental Justice (Harleyville, SC): Plant restoration, removal of invasive vines, installing fire breaks, learning history of the low-country

2. Youth & Education (Memphis, TN): Working with at-risk youth, serving meals, sorting donations, and supporting agencies that assist those in need

3. Ubran Community Empowerment (Atlanta, GA): Various activities connected to the topic

Cost Breakdown:

Food is one of our biggest expenses of these trips and the food is one of the toughest things to anticipate. Any donation is incredibly helpful.

Testimonials

• "Being able to volunteer during the Alternative Service Break helped me to realize how one person can create a massive change and built my passion into being that person for my future communities" (2022 Participant).
• "This trip was one of the best experiences I have ever had. It was SO refreshing to spend time with genuine people and do things that benefit a community in need at the same time. It was truly an uplifting experience that I will always keep with me" (2020 Participant).
• "I am forever humbled by this experience because it gave me an opportunity to understand how I can serve communities other than my own but most importantly how to understand people for their stories and how they cope with difficult situations" (2020 Participant).

How to contact us: Instragram, @CLT_LEAD

You can double or triple the impact of your gift if your employer participates in a matching gift program.  To see if your employer has a matching gift program, click here. If your company matches, complete your matching gift form and submit it to UNC Charlotte via mail (UNC Charlotte Foundation, 9201 University City Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28223), fax (704-687-7259) or email (mwinslow@charlotte.edu).