Students opt for community service during spring break Friday, March 2, 2012

Students opt for alternative spring break trips

Three groups of Point Park students are devoting much of their spring break week, March 3 - 9, to community service work in three far-flung areas of the country: Seattle, Mississippi and New York City. All of the groups on "alternative spring break" trips will also find time for sightseeing and fun activities to make sure students get a well-deserved break from classes, papers, projects and studying.

New York City

A group of 18 students from Point Park's Honors Program and freshmen Living and Learning Communities is headed to New York City to volunteer in city parks and at Housing Works, a non-profit organization helps people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Accompanying the group are Professor Helen Fallon, director of the Honors Program, and Campus Life Community Director Amanda McGuire, who works with the LLCs in Point Park's residence halls.

While not volunteering, the New York City group will tour Madison Square Garden and the 9/11 Memorial. The students will also have an opportunity to meet with Point Park alumni working in New York City, and will have free time to explore the city and dine in fun restaurants.

Seattle

A group of 11 Point Park students, along with two Student Life staff members, are heading to Washington state to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that builds or restores homes for people who lack adequate housing or may be homeless. The Point Park group will be accompanied by J.W. Tabacchi, director of student activities, and Sarah George, director of commuter affairs.

The Seattle group will be posting updates and photos during the week on their Seattle Alternative Spring Break '12 blog -- check out what they are doing.

Mississippi

Heading south for spring break are seven students who belong to The Body, a Christian student group on campus, to work with a Habitat for Humanity in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The students will help build new homes, as well as refurbish existing homes that have fallen into disrepair. They are accompanied by The Body advisor Katherine Sikma, and will be joined by members of the congregation she is partnering with, Christ Community Church of the South Hills.

Bay St. Louis is on the Gulf Coast between New Orleans, La., and Biloxi, Ms., so the students may have time to enjoy beachfront fun and sunshine.

Watch for features about the alternative spring break trips later in this spring.