Several University students work alongside the future homeowner and members of Habitat for Humanity to build a house in Las Vegas, N.M. The students volunteered to help as part of the Campus Y alternative spring break program.
By Neil Schoenherr
March 23, 2001
Ah, Las Vegas. Sun, sand, bright lights and late nights. What a great way to relax during spring break.
However, when a group of University students arrived in Las Vegas March 11 they found no casinos, few hotels and no Wayne Newton. In fact, all they found was a lot of hard work.
Several University students work alongside the future homeowner and members of Habitat for Humanity to build a house in Las Vegas, N.M. The students volunteered to help as part of the Campus Y alternative spring break program.
|
The students hadn't traveled to the Nevada namesake; they were in Las Vegas, New Mexico, a thriving community of 17,000 people about 60 miles northeast of Santa Fe. Nine students went to help Habitat for Humanity build the framework of a house.
"It was fantastic trip," said junior Anne Simmons, student leader of the event. "We started with just the foundation and we left a nearly completed home."
The trip was one of five alternative spring break trips sponsored by the Campus Y, sending more than 50 students throughout North America.
"Sponsoring these service trips really goes along with our mission to serve the community," said Laquetta Garvin, programming director at the Campus Y. "Planning and implementing the trips is also a great way for students to develop valuable leaderships skills."
In addition to Las Vegas, the locales included:
¥ Biloxi, Miss., to help work with a YMCA after-school program;
¥ The Dominican Republic, to work with children and young adults at a YMCA;
¥ Sulfur Springs, Fla., to work at a nonprofit animal shelter;
¥ New Orleans, to work at a YMCA camp, help clean streets and volunteer at a preschool.
These spring break trips are far from the ones shown on MTV. Students weren't always living in the lap of luxury. But that never stops the alternative spring break program from being popular.
Student response to the program has been quite favorable. It is so popular that an application and selection process has been mandated.
"It was definitely hard work," said Eric Young, student leader of the Sulfur Springs trip. "We were building a habitat to house chickens and other animals. The structure was 10 feet by 40 feet. It took almost three days to get it done."
Students create their own service trips. They choose the location, select the volunteers, raise the money and figure out how to connect their trip with an academic endeavor.
"We worked hard," said senior Mike Birman, leader of the New Orleans trip. "But we also had a lot of fun. It was rewarding to meet the local people we were helping and it was good to get involved. I'd definitely do it again."
| Medical News |
Washington People |
Calendar | More Campus News |
Campus Watch |
| Email Us! |
Notables | Record Staff |
Front Page | WU Home Page |