Over spring break, 33 Linfield students, staff and faculty helped provide affordable housing for families and individuals in the region, and across the nation.
During Linfield’s Alternative Spring Break (ASB), volunteers dedicated their time and energy in New Orleans, Tacoma and Portland. They sought to better understand housing as a human right through service learning opportunities with community organizations, including Habitat for Humanity.
In the wake of natural and economic disasters in communities both locally and globally, housing security has risen to the forefront of concerns. Permanent and affordable housing is a proven strategy for stabilizing families.
“One of the most amazing aspects about Alternative Spring Break is the immersion you experience in the community where you serve,” says student co-leader Lauren Ross ’11 (pictured).
“At first I regretted giving up my spring break, but then I realized that I wasn’t giving up anything at all, but gaining the best spring break I could have ever asked for,” says Colleen Gillmore ’13. “I honestly feel like I gained more from this program than Habitat gained from me.”
For seven years, Linfield’s ASB has been committed to providing students with the life-changing experience of service learning, team work and civic leadership development in communities throughout the region, and as far away as Honduras and Guatemala. The project has mobilized more than 140 student volunteers who performed 6,662 hours of meaningful service to non-profit organizations.
Students will share their experiences April 13 at 4 p.m. in Riley 201.
Community Service at Linfield College
