Rice students share Alternative Spring Break experiences

From volunteering at an Oakhurst, N.J., camp for people with physical disabilities to fighting homelessness, hunger and HIV/AIDS in San Francisco, Rice students could be found from coast to coast engaging in a wide range of community service projects during spring break.

More than 150 students engaged in a variety of community service projects across the country during Alternative Spring Break trips Feb. 25-March 4.

Many of those students shared their experiences at the March 27 Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Showcase hosted by Rice University’s Community Involvement Center. More than 150 students participated in 12 ASB trips across the country Feb. 25-March 4.

Elizabeth Shulman, a Sid Richardson College senior, led a group of 13 Rice students on the trip to Joplin, Mo., where she and her fellow volunteers helped residents with the rebuilding process following last year’s devastating EF5 tornado.

“I just remember reading about and seeing all the destruction and reading a personal account of someone in the Walmart,” she said. “I’ve had members of my family go through a natural disaster before, so I felt like I understood a little of what these people are going through. I’m glad we had the opportunity to help them out.”

Wiess College junior Caleb Reyes participated in the trip to Dallas, where a group of 13 Rice students worked with residents at Mosaic Family Services. Founded in 1993, the organization offers assistance to international refugees and victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. The company provides legal assistance in the clients’ native language, skills workshops designed to empower them to begin new lives independent of fear and abuse, and a shelter that affords them safety during the necessary recovery time after their varied traumatic experiences.

“It was really incredible how much we were able to learn from direct service,” he said. “We attended a lot of lectures before going on our trip and learned about the history of the issue, but the experience really allowed us to see the human side of that and how close to home the issue really is. In a lot of ways, it was very upsetting to hear their stories, but at the same time it was one of the most powerful and inspiring experiences I’ve ever had. It was really beautiful to see the enthusiasm and love for life these people still had, knowing what they’ve been through and seeing how far they’ve come.”

Wiess College junior Samantha Masaki was also part of the Dallas trip and said the experience has inspired her and some of her fellow students to host a human trafficking awareness campaign here at Rice. The group is planning to attend the Clinton Global Initiative University Conference in Washington, D.C., later this year, which is meant to help students turn their passion for global issues into action.

“For me, I’ve heard all the stories and read the statistics, but realizing that there are people like the women and children we met was very eye-opening,” she said. “We realize how many people are being so hurt by this issue, we have to do something about it.”

For a full list of 2012 ASB service trips, click here.

For more information on Alternative Spring Break opportunities at Rice, visit http://cic.rice.edu/asb.