Alternative Breaks

Volunteers at VINE Sanctuary in Vermont
Alternative Break volunteers
Service Without Borders volunteers

Alternative Breaks are student-led community engagement programs that promote student leadership, equality, ethical volunteering, and social justice. These programs aim to equip students with the tools, resources, and experience to be effective leaders and allies within their local and global communities.

Student groups partner with local and global initiatives on a variety of social justice issues, from access to medical care to housing inequity. Participants learn from and engage with communities near and far, while building knowledge and skills that will inform their futures.

Our Role

The Brandeis Department of Community Service offers a number of resources for club leaders and student volunteers including pre and post trip trainings and reflections, risk management information session and group teambuilding. Additionally, this webpage has resources that cover all things service-related to help prepare and support you for the variety of experiences and emotions you might encounter in your volunteering. Never hesitate to stop by our office to use these resources or find support!

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’19 - ’20 Alternative Break Service Trips

YourStory International

YourStory International is an American and Haitian co-founded and co-run organization that focuses on public health education, primary care, and community development initiatives in Pont Morel, Haiti. We value local Haitian perspectives while working hard to empower our undergraduate advocates. We welcome all majors!

Location of Trips: Haiti
Dates of Trips: TBD
Cost of Trips: $795
Application Deadline: Priority deadline Oct. 11; rolling admissions after Oct. 11
Contact Information: Janikah Brice or Brandeis YSI

Brandeis Hillel

Brandeis Hillel serves as the umbrella organization for Jewish life on campus. At Hillel students forge new friendships, meet dedicated mentors, celebrate the Jewish calendar, engage in service to others, and are inspired by Jewish texts and traditions. Hillel is for every Jew, of every color, from every country, studying every subject, and welcomes students of any sexual orientation, gender identity and physical ability, as well as those affected by mental illness, trauma, and abuse.

Location of Trip: Israel
Date of Trip: Feb. 13-20 (Tentative)
Cost of Trip: $300
Application Deadline: TBD
Contact Information: Sydney Brenner

Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity works towards alleviating the housing crisis through hands-on service and community engagement.

Location of Trips: Winston-Salem, North Carolina (Feb. trip); TBD (April trip)
Dates of Trips: Feb. 16-22; April 10-16 (tentative)
Cost of Trips: $40 (Feb.); $30 (April)
Application Deadline: Jan. 15 (for Feb trip); Feb. 25 (for April trip)
Contact Information: Brandeis HFH

Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC)

FIMRC provides access to medical care for underprivileged and medically underserved families around the world.
Location of Trip: Alajuelita, Costa Rica
Date of Trip: Feb. 16-23
Cost of Trip: $1,234 (trip); $350-600 (airfare); fundraising opportunities available
Application Deadline: TBD
Contact Information: Shayla Parker

Service Without Borders

Service Without Borders is a branch of Waltham Group that provides students with the opportunity to volunteer in different locations while educating them about the local communities they are volunteering in.

Location of Trips: Greater Boston Area (Fall weekend and Feb. break); New Orleans, Louisiana (April break)
Dates of Trips: Feb. 17-21; April 8-14
Cost of Trips: TBD
Application Deadline: TBD
Contact Information: Brandeis SWB

Center for Spiritual Life

The Center for Spiritual Life deepens students' spiritual identities and calling to make a difference in the world.
Location of Trip: Boston and Western MA
Date of Trip: April 13-16
Cost of Trip: TBD
Application Deadline: TBD
Contact Information: Matt Carriker

Global Brigades

Global Brigades empowers and provides supplies to impoverished communities in Honduras. Global Brigades works to ensure the sustainability of these communities to see long-lasting improvements.
Location of Trips: Honduras
Dates of Trips: Feb. break
Cost of Trips: $1,100-1,200
Application Deadline: TBD; $250 deposit due at the end of October
Contact Information: Nisansa Perera

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’18 - ’19 Alternative Break Service Trips

Volunteers for Israel: Jerusalem & Tel Aviv - February 2019

Brandeis students participated in an ASB trip, "Volunteers for Israel" in which they explored the historical sites of Jerusalem and were immersed in the culture of Tel Aviv. These participants spent several days volunteering on an IDF (Israeli Defense Force) army base, completing small tasks in the communications dept. and helping soldiers to accomplish their duties. Students from various backgrounds were able to learn about the rich history and culture of Israel while sharing their experiences and identities with each other. This trip was coordinated by Brandeis Hillel staff, Sydney Brenner, and was funded by the Boston Jewish federation--CJP.

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County: Winston-Salem, NC - February 2019

Habitat volunteers smiling in front of a built house.

Habitat for Humanity returned to the Forsyth County affiliate in Winston-Salem, NC over February break for a week of volunteering, building, and bonding! Volunteers worked on five different sites, installing flooring and constructing walls.

Brandeis' Department of Spiritual and Religious Life Trip to Miami, FL - February 2019

Student Volunteers gathered, sitting in a church. Shrestha Singh (Brandeis’ Hindu Chaplain) and Matt Carriker (Brandeis’ Protestant Chaplain) led a transformative
experience with nine students during February break, learning about social justice in Miami. The students served at various social service agencies and non-profit organizations such as Lotus House and the Redlands Christian Migrant Association. This trip was organized by Brandeis’ Department of Spiritual and Religious Life.

Service Without Borders: 7elements - Dominican Republic - February 2019

Student volunteers standing in front of a wall of recycled plastic bottles. Service without Borders partnered with 7elements over February Break, working on global and eco health initiatives in the Dominican Republic. 7elements uses United Nations’ Seven Elements of Human Security to guide their work, emphasizing community empowerment, dual development of the community and volunteers, and sustainable projects. Service without Borders worked alongside a Haitian doctor to provide individualized care in local clinics, repaired a water tank, and built a structure out of recycled water bottles.

YourStory International: Haiti - December 2018

Students and a dog gathered in front of a house. Brandeis's YourStory International club went over December break to Haiti to work with the nonprofit YourStory International. One participant remarked, "Haiti was an amazing and memorable experience for me! When there we participating in running a free clinic, field work, and teaching public health for the people of the Leogane area. I made great friends there and the staff had amazing people. I would love to go back for sure."