The registration deadline for Break Away's 2013 Alternative Break Citizenship schools (ABCs) is just three days away!
Join the Break Away staff and alternative break leaders from colleges and universities across the nation for a week that will enrich your alternative break program, expand your leadership potential, and determine the direction of the alternative break movement. Alternative Break Citizenship Schools (ABCs) combine the intensity of an authentic alternative break experience with innovative training and networking opportunities to share ideas and best practices for alternative breaks and to promote active citizenship.
For over 20 years Break Away has provided schools with quality training to further the alternative break movement. The ABCs are the only training conferences dedicated entirely to creating quality alternative break programs. So whether you are interested in starting alternative breaks on your campus or are coming from a well-established program, this conference is for you.
We, here at the HQ, are particularly excited to
announce four compelling social issues and locations for the
2013 Summer ABCs:
The 2013 Alternative Break Citizenship Schools
June 9 – 14 | Engaging Youth Outside the
Classroom | Atlanta, Georgia
Public schools across the nation face challenges
such as school overcrowding, insufficient assessment methods, and budget
cuts. The national conversation has created divisive rifts among
teachers, parents, and policymakers. Our goal is to shed light on
alternative solutions that involve input and buy-in from the entire
community. Since facing probation charges in 2010, the Atlanta Public
School (APS) system has developed creative approaches to tackle this crucial
issue. During this ABCs, we will work with APS and the Mayor’s Office to
support no-cost summer programming that engages youth in meaningful activities
to promote self-efficacy and academic success.
June 23 – 28 | Regional Renewal:
Connecting the City and Suburbs | Metro Detroit, Michigan*
The
City of Detroit and its suburbs share a past of racial and socioeconomic
segregation that has greatly influenced policies and affected communities
throughout the region. We will partner with several grassroots
organizations that are interested in creating coalitions for change: Earthworks
Urban Farm, Cass Community Social Services, Growing Hope, and Avalon
Housing. Our focus will be on the intersecting systems of food, labor,
literacy, and socio-economic diversity as sustainable, regional revitalization.
During this ABCs, we will work with all members of the community –
citizens, non-profits, policymakers, and advocacy organizations – so we may
enter into this community respectfully, not simply as well-meaning outsiders
who have come to ‘fix’ the city.* The Metro Detroit ABCs will also feature a dedicated staff development track focused on topics including: working with community partners to assess and track impact, training student leaders, and deepening reorientation/local community work. A full schedule will be released on the Break Away website in early April.
July 15 – 21 | National Parks:
Preservation by the People, for the People | Grand Canyon
National Park
Hosted by the National
Park Service
In
1916, the National Park Service was created to maintain and protect special
places for the continued benefit and enjoyment of all Americans. With
almost 4.5 million visitors to Grand Canyon National Park in 2012, this natural
wonder presents a demand for resource management – work that allows natural
ecosystems to function as when first discovered and preserves cultural
landscapes, ethnographic resources, historical objects and structures.
Participants will work with the Vegetation Program which preserves, restores,
inventories, and monitors resources through invasive plant management, nursery
and seed collection, sensitive species monitoring, and hazard tree management.
July 28 – August 2 | Re-imagining a
City through Citizen-Government Action | Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
Hosted at Villanova
University
In
2011, Philadelphia recorded a 0.6 percent population increase, its first growth
in 50 years. Yet some of the city’s most challenged neighborhoods are shrinking
by as much as 10%. The impact of poverty and politics in these areas has
been severe – for example, the recent announcement of the closure of 23 public
schools. Complicated and intertwined social issues facing cities demand
collaboration between citizen groups, government, faith-based, and private
organizations for any hope of long term improvement. Our focus will be to
support citizen groups who have set neighborhood goals which address chronic
crime and quality of life concerns, loss of residents, jobs and schools. These
groups are working with government initiatives, like PhillyRising to
build leadership, relationships, and draw upon existing resources.
Quotes from 2012 ABCs Participants
“Prepare to
learn and have your mind blown! You will realize that your program has so
much room for improvement and attending an ABCs is the stepping stone to get
there.”
“Truly a
transformative experience. It will change your life and leave you filled
with hope and knowledge, a new family, and the resources and confidence to
start or better your alternative break program.”
“It was the
most fun and unique experience of my life that taught me so much and added
gasoline to my burning desire to improve our world. You will come away
with a skill set that will help you in areas extending far beyond alternative
breaks.”
Come learn what these ABCs graduates are talking about! We encourage you to send representatives from your alternative break program to take advantage of this premier training for alternative break leaders. ABCs Participant and Staff Track applications are available at www.alternativebreaks2013.org/.
Due to location and issue interest, we anticipate the ABCs filling up quickly this year. Being true alternative breakers, we have worked hard to keep registration prices as low as possible, and continue to offer an early-bird registration for the ABCs. The final date to register for the ABCs is this Friday, May 24th. Please send your completed application and proof of payment to breakaway@alternativebreaks.org or fax it to 404-348-4337. Checks may be mailed to Break Away, 2451 Cumberland Parkway, Suite 3124, Atlanta, GA 30339.
Transportation information, sample schedules, and other details are available on our website. If you have any questions in the meantime, please call 800-903-0646 or email the national office at breakaway@alternativebreaks.org.
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