Civic Engagement Program : Alternative Spring Break

Civic Engagement Program

Quick Links

List of Regional Nonprofit Agencies Search our database to find a non profits to get involved with. The attached Excel spreadsheet contains contact information for many nonprofit agencies throughout the Rogue Valley. **Please note that not all of the agencies listed have been vetted, nor are they all familiar with SOU and SOU students.

Alternative Spring Break

Do you know what you’re doing for Spring Break yet?
Consider this fresh alternative…

travel •diversity •challenge •immersion
service •growth •education •fun

Southern Oregon University’s Alternative Break program, sponsored by the Civic Engagement Program, promotes critical thinking, social action and continued community involvement by combining education, reflection, and hands-on direct service on the local, regional and national levels. Students are immersed in diverse experiences and inspired to take thoughtful, meaningful action toward the resolution of interlinking social issues.

Spring Break 2009 Trips

New Orleans: Hurrican Katrina Reconstruction

We are working in partnership with Operation Helping Hands. Southern Oregon University students and staff will be working to gut and rebuild homes affected by Hurricane Katrina. Volunteers will have the opportunity to make personal contact with survivors while working together to make a concrete difference in the lives of those affected by the Hurricane.

Catalina Island: Environmental Conservation

Students will be staying at the Laura Stein Volunteer camp where they will work on volunteer projects such as restoring native habitats and non-native plant removal. Students will leave with a better understand of conservation, and the importance of taking care of our environment.

Guanajuanto, Mexico:Cultural Immersion

SOU and the Guanajuanto government are partnering to offer students and staff an opportunity to explore our sister city through various service projects. Participants will be fully immersed in the culture while they live, work and eat as locals.

Mini Alternative Breaks

This spring we are planning a mini-weekend alternative break to the coast near the Redwood National Forest. We are currently working with California parks and recreation to develop a community service project such as a beach clean up. While there we will learn about struggles the park faces as well as the surrounding area. During our free time we will have a chance to hike the area and possibly do some surfing! For more information or to apply for a trip please contact Cerissa Payment at 552-6454 or vista@sou.edu. *The Alternative Break Program is new to SOU, and offers students a chance to travel to a new community where they become engaged in a variety of ways.

Dates to remember

January 13^th - Team Meeting

January 27^th- Team Meeting

February 5th - Mardi Gras Fundraiser

February 10^th- Team Meeting

February 24^th- Team Meeting

March 9^th- Team Meeting

March 23^rd- Pre-Trip Meeting

March 24^th- March 30^th Alternative Spring Break in New Orleans

April 6^th- Reorientation Meeting

For more information, contact...

Cerissa Payment
Civic Engagement Coordinator
Oregon Campus Compact Americorps VISTA
541-552-6454 e-mail: vista@sou.edu