Students enjoy Alternative Spring Break

Relaxing and sunbathing are part of the typical spring break vacation, but for some students, building an outhouse in a foot of mud has offered a more than satisfying alternative. About 70 University students will volunteer at six sites throughout the United States during this year's spring break in order to build houses for needy families. Work camps are located in Atlanta; Marlinton, W.Va.; New Orleans; Phoenix; West Philadelphia and North Carolina. "I spent two days digging a latrine while it was raining and snowing," said Tom Huber, a Management and Technology senior who coordinates ASB. "But it was definitely a great experience. The volunteer was really worthwhile." Founded in 1990, the Alternate Spring Break program focuses on immersing students in a variety of communities to learn about the issues of housing and homelessness. "This is a fabulous program," said ASB Staff Advisor Bea Swedlow, assistant director of Program for Student Community Involvement. "Each year the amount of applications increases tremendously." Almost all of the participating students do manual labor with Habitat for Humanity, which focuses on providing low-income housing for needy families. But one group of 15 students will assist with Empty the Shelters in Atlanta. The organization is overwhelmed this year with families because many under-privileged Atlanta residents are losing their homes due to rising property costs associated with the 1996 Summer Olympics. "I really enjoy getting away from my school work for awhile," explained Management and Technology senior Dana Ehrlich, another ASB coordinator. "Building homes is hard work, but it is so different from what I do every day that it's a good change." ASB is also designed to introduce students to disadvantaged communities within urban, rural and suburban settings and the socioeconomic issues that are a part of their daily existence. "When I worked at the West Philadelphia site, the Habitat directors took me on a real city tour that Penn would never provide," said Engineering senior and ASB coordinator Jeff Wu. "I learned so much about the University's relationship with this city. The administrators would never teach us what I learned from ASB." Volunteers must pay for their own travel expenses, but all food and housing costs will be covered by fundraisers that are held this month. Students pay $75 to $100 for sites within driving distance, and flying costs between $200 and $300. While volunteering, many close friendships are formed among the students. "I left for my destination knowing no one in my group, but returned with an entire group of friends with similar interests," said ASB coordinator and College junior Marc Shapiro. ASB participants also experience the work area culture by sight-seeing and attending activities, which range from caving in West Virginia to eating Chicago pizza. A second orientation session will begin in January or February. "The Alternate Spring Break program is a tool to get people to experience a new culture," said Huber. "We hope that the participants will return to the Penn community and stay involved in volunteer work."