Since the fall term of 1998, UIC Alternative Spring Break has been sending students committed to community service to places in need throughout the United States. Founded by students, UIC's chapter is still student run, but what's different is the number of students participating and the number of trips made for volunteer opportunities.
UIC ASB was started with the intention to provide students an organized opportunity to help out a community in need - an alternative option for their Spring Break. Originally, trips were made in Spring Break only, but now trips are being made during the Winter Break as well with up to eleven trips being made per break.
Giselle De La Rosa, a UIC sophomore and Transportation Coordinator on the Executive Board of ASB, went to Philadelphia last year to assist in MANNA, a Nutritional program for individuals suffering from terminal illnesses.
"I came back and wanted to help expand UIC ASB," said De La Rosa.
Angelica Alonso, UIC ASB's president, also attended the MANNA volunteer trip and explained that UIC ASB is not affiliated with the national ASB organization. It is affiliated with the Honors College through Student Council, and the Honors College has supported the organization financially by providing vans.
Interest in volunteering has increased. This semester alone 130 individuals applied for a spot on one of the Winter trips, exceeding the number of spots available.
"We hope to increase the number of trips," said Alonso.
In order to do so, UIC ASB has been fundraising with a Silent Auction. Their fundraising efforts help keep the price of attendance as low as it is, approximately $125-$145 each. This covers the cost of food, housing, and transportation.
"UIC's chapter is generally cheaper than other chapters. Our main goal is making these trips possible for as many people as possible, so we put a lot of effort into funding so we can offer as many trips as we do," said Alonso.
For the first time, UIC's chapter is offering scholarships that interested individuals can compete for. There is both a full scholarship and two partial scholarships. Applicants must have volunteered at least three times within this semester in addition to having volunteered at the auction.
The application process includes a written application and an interview. "We're looking for people who want to give back. People who will come back and talk about what happened. We want people who believe that volunteering inspires them to give back to the community," said Alonso of the admissions process.
One of the most popular trip choices for this winter is to go help the organization Jungle Friends. Students will be working with primates who have been abandoned as pets. The project will including building homes and cleaning their habitat area. Another popular choice among applicants is the Habitat for Humanity trip; students will go to Oklahoma City and help build energy efficient houses.
Applications for the Winter trips were due on Nov. 9, but there are other local opportunities for students to participate in ASB. UIC ASB participates in an AIDs walk, the East Meets West Walk, and the Bowl-a-thon with the Boys and Girls Club on Nov. 22.
"We have local volunteer activities for participants because, in my time here, I noticed that people want to go on the trips, but they can't afford it," said Alonso on UIC ASB's involvement in local volunteer projects.
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