Spring Break
Alternative Spring Break helps make a difference
Spring break offers students a new outlook
Jennifer Brown/Staff Reporter
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: News
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Hosted through the Newman Catholic Center, Pliner was first attracted to Alternative Spring Break last year when she went to Fayetteville, Ark. This year, she attended another Habitat for Humanity location in Jackson, Miss.
"I was inspired to go again because of the amazing experience I had," the sophomore elementary middle school education major said. "I met so many great people and had a blast with my group.
"I am hoping to gain experience working with volunteers and the family, as well as bonding with my team. I also want to come back and share my experience with others and hopefully gets other people to become interested in in volunteering for service trips."
The Newman Catholic Center has organized Alternative Spring Break programs for 17 years.
Doris Nordin, coordinator of Alternative Spring Break at the center, offered 11 locations to Eastern students this year.
Among these were many that involved that working directly with children or the disabled. Others involved home repair or working with those in poverty.
Among the 11 locations, nine were located in the United States, one in Canada, and one in Mexico.
"We try to cover all kinds of social issues that affect our lives; some directly and others indirectly, which sometimes we don't see," Nordin said. "To raise awareness about the possibilities of making a difference here or anywhere else."
Nordin has attended all the locations, but this year she chose to attend Glenmary Farm in Vanceburg, Ky. At this resort, team members worked with the emotionally challenged and also partook in home repair projects.
"I've been in other sites, and I really wanted to be part of the Glenmary Farm Program," Nordin said. "The exposure to different kinds of realities appeals to me."
Emily Redmann, a junior elementary education major, chose to go to St. Vincent Center in Kansas City. This is her first year attending Alternative Spring Break.
"I choose this because I am majoring in elementary education and I love working with children." Redmann said. "I want to help make a difference, even if it is just one person, one person can make a difference. I have traveled with one person from my team before, but that is it."
It wasn't a hard decision for Max Van Byssun, a biological sciences major, when he chose Alternative Spring Break. He has been attending since his freshman year.
"I went on (Alternative Spring Break) last year at the Big Oak Boy's Ranch. I had a great experience last year, it was not even a decision to return to the ranch for a second time," he said. "My first time to the ranch moved me so much because of the amazing work everyone at the ranch does to make the lives of the boys there better and the opportunity they give them."
It was Van Byssun's second year to attend Alternative Spring Break at Big Oaks Boy's in Gadsden, Ala., and next year he plans on returning as a site leader.
"I worked cutting down trees with my group from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then had a break to get ready to spend the rest of the day with the house I was assigned," Van Byssun said. "A house is made up of house parents (married couple) 8 kids with a max of 2 being biological offspring.
"The ranch is beautiful, all 167 acres. The ranch provides a truly amazing environment for the kids to grow."
Nate Atkinson, a graduate computer information major, was one of the students who went to Mexico. He was concerned about the security warnings, but would be in a safe area of the country.
"The idea of a mission trip is something new, an adventure that will be fulfilling," Atkinson said. "It'll be a spiritual experience following God's work for Catholic faith and Christian ways."
Upon returning to Eastern, Atkinson is already looking forward to returning to Mexico next year.
"In the morning, we did farm work and in the afternoon we played with the kids, he said. "Playing with the kids was the best part. There are about 130 kids, and not enough adults to show them love and attention. We connected with the kids, and they connected with us."
Jennifer Brown can be reached at 581-7942 or at jebrown2@eiu.edu.
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