Alternative Spring Break 2023 - Puerto Rico

The Alternative Spring Break Trip will take place Saturday, March 25 - Saturday, April 1, 2023. All participants will travel together with Center staff from campus and travel by air from PDX to Puerto Rico and back.

Participants will also attend 5 meetings prior to spring break to prepare for the service project and 1 meeting after the trip to reflect. (Trip Meeting schedule outlined below: “Participant Requirments”)

This program is supported by Community Collaborations International in coordinating logistics including food, lodging, and on-the-ground project coordination. Our team coordinates with the Project Coordinator in Puerto Rico to connect with local nonprofits, coalitions, or community organizations and support their ongoing projects. 

Community Partner Projects

“SBP” - Puerto Rico 

SBP, formerly the St. Bernard Project) is a nonprofit disaster recovery and resilience organization dedicated to shrinking the time between disaster and recovery by reducing risk, increasing resilience, and improving the recovery process by transforming the disaster sector’s systems, policies, and programs.

Volunteers help with many different phases of construction such as demolition, light framing, insulation, mold remediation, drywall, mudding or spackling, priming, painting, flooring, trim, doors, and final punch.

SBP will provide all safety gear, safety training, and appropriate supervision.

Social Media & Continued Involvement

• Make a donation here

• Become an SBP AmeriCorps member here

• Register to volunteer here 
• Connect with our Puerto Rico Team on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok.
• Blog | SBP USA

 

“Love In Motion” - Trail Maintenence Program

Love In Motion is a nonprofit founded in 2017 by the Local Guest Team in the aftermath of Hurricane María. Our mission is to catalyze opportunities and resources through capacity building, stewardship, and innovation for the development of sustainable and sovereign communities.

Love in Motion was born in the aftermath of Hurricane María in Puerto Rico to rebuild and bring relief to communities in need. In order to impact Caribbean communities through sustainable tourism, we need to help them recover first. The road to recovery is a long one, but with your help and the indomitable spirit of our people, we believe that we can rebuild a stronger and more sustainable region. We have a collaborative agreement with El Yunque that includes a volunteer program, a trails program, and a wellness program.

Volunteer Trails Program supports Forest Service staff on the maintenance of trails or heritage sites, specifically on La Coca Trail.

Note: This project may require walking miles and working on uneven terrain in the jungle. It’s advised to have 2-3 liters of water, snacks, and light lunch.

We believe in the ‘Leave no trace’ ethics so please don’t leave any trash behind during the experience.

Social Media & Continued Involvement

• Subscribe to newsletters & emails
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

 

“YUCAE” (Yabucoa, United for Culture, Self-Management and Ecology)

YUCAE’s mission is to promote sustainable and comprehensive development in the economic, social, and cultural areas that promote the improvement of the quality of life in Yabucoa. Firmly believes in protecting green infrastructures, parks, caves, wetlands, nature reserves, agricultural land, and our cultural heritage.

The goal of the agroecological project is to raise awareness among students and collaborators about the importance of organic agriculture, food security, sovereignty, and the conservation of natural resources.

We volunteer in their agroecological project and different community outreach initiatives.

Social Media & Continued Involvement

• YUCAE (@proyectoyucae) • Instagram photos and videos
• YUCAE (@proyectoyucae) / Twitter
• YUCAE - Home | Facebook  

The nature of volunteer projects encompasses a variety of opportunities involving community resilience and conservation work. Service projects may include hurricane disaster-relief projects: home repairs including cleaning, painting, scraping, yard work, or revitalizing community gathering areas like beachfront gazebos, basketball courts, and ballparks. Other conservation and ocean habitat cleanup projects may include trail maintenance, reforestation, or ecological and agroecological projects.

All projects are guided by local nonprofits, organizations, and coalitions in Puerto Rico to identify current volunteer opportunities that directly support the community.

Community Collaborations International describes service projects as involving “hard work, grit, and persistence, in challenging conditions—with the opportunity to align under a shared value of community service that connects communities and builds lasting friendships.”

Who should apply:

• Undergraduate students in any major, program, or year in school can apply
• Applicants must have prior community service/volunteer experience and exhibit strong leadership and collaboration skills.
• Participants must be committed to full engagement with the programming and all of it’s required components:

Required Program Components:

• Selected participants are required to cover the cost of their trip with a confirmation deposit of $750 due by November 22. Financial assistance opportunities are available.
• Participants will review and sign Volunteer Agreements with the Center and Community Collaborations International prior to departure.
• Participants will understand and adhere to rules and regulations established by L&C and community partners including current safety, public health, and code of conduct protocols. Group ground rules will be established during our pre-trip meetings including, but not limited to, the use of cell phones, photos, music, interpersonal communication, and other trip expectations.
• Participants will work as a team to organize and hold a fundraiser (or series of fundraisers) to meet the financial goal of $8K. The Center will offer support and guidance as needed.

• Selected participants will attend five required pre-trip meetings and one post-trip meeting.

TRIP MEETING SCHEDULE **This schedule is subject to minor adjustments**

Participants are required to attend five meetings prior to the service project in Puerto Rico and one post-trip meeting upon their return facilitated by the Center for Social Change and Community Involvement. At these meetings, you will meet the trip leaders, Center professional staff, and other student participants. You will learn more about the service trip activities, location, and schedule. You will also learn about the community organizations we are partnering with and receive training on how to work with the community members we will be engaging with while in Puerto Rico.

Pre-trip meeting 1: Orientation – Monday, January 23, 6-8 pm

Welcome to the Alternative Spring Break Program! We will discuss program details and expectations, engage in team bonding activities, and learn about the importance of volunteer work.

Pre-trip meeting 2: Critical Discussion – Monday, February 6, 6-8 pm

Participants will hear from a visiting expert on the history (sociopolitical, climate) of Puerto Rico. We will hold space for critical discussions on the ethics of service and the exploration of concepts including voluntourism, white saviorism, and transactional service.

Pre-Trip Meeting 3: Fundraising – Monday, February 20, 6-8 pm

Participants are required to organize a fundraiser(s) to raise a goal of $8K. Half of the raised funds will be contributed to the trip cost and the other half will be donated to the designated community partner in Puerto Rico.

Participants are encouraged to hold additional meetings outside of these to prepare for fundraising.

Pre-trip meeting 4: Community Partner – Monday, March 6, 6-8 pm

Meet our community partners from Community Collaborations International - Puerto Rico Project Coordinator and representatives from the local community partners we’re working with. This will include discussions on what to expect while volunteering, the distribution of any prerequisite training resources, and a Q&A session.

Pre-trip Meeting 5: Final Logistics – Monday, March 20, 6-8 pm

The final meeting before departure to Puerto Rico is a regrouping moment to discuss packing lists, travel plans, and a review of safety protocols and group rules.

Post-trip meeting: Reflection & Reorientation – Monday, April 10 6-8pm

The team will meet one final time upon returning to L&C to reflect and discuss participant experiences. This is a space for feedback, learning moments, and an opportunity to continue involvement with the Center and apply service experience to other community projects.

TRAVEL

The team departs together on March, 25 from L&C and will be met by their Volunteer Coordinator at the Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. (No passport is needed for US citizens) All transportation from the time we pick you up at the airport until we drop you off at the airport at the end of the project is provided by CCI.

Flights may include long travel days and layovers.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Volunteers stay in bunkhouse-style or AirBNB-style accommodations at various facilities in the area that are inspected and pre-approved by Community Collaborations International. Accommodations include:

• Safe and clean sleeping areas
• Clean and functional bathroom facilities
• Showers
• Sanitary food services
• Access to medical support
• Onsite communications
• Electricity
• Freshwater
  

MEALS:

All volunteers are provided breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week. Breakfast is continental style with cereal, bagels, muffins, juice, coffee, and fruit. After you have your breakfast you’ll have a chance to make a brown bag lunch. Team members should all have water bottles and should drink at least a quart of water per day if they’re working outside in hot, sweaty conditions. Team leaders make sure team members take water breaks. Dinners are prepared by local cooks and are typical Puerto Rican family-style meals, rice, beans, vegetables, and beef, chicken, pork, or fish always with a salad bar. Vegetarian options are available at each meal.

RECREATION/EDUCATION

The tourism sector of Puerto Rico is incredibly important to the people who live there, all of our volunteers will participate in a tourist activity to support Puerto Rico’s tourism sector.

SAMPLE ITINERARY

This is a tentative schedule and is subject to change and customization.

Day 1:

Arrive at San Juan Luis Munoz Marin International Airport, met by the volunteer coordinator, transfer to the lodging site

Day 2:

Breakfast at the lodging site

Local Ecosystem Orientation at Cabeza de San Juan Environmental Preserve

Lunch at Lighthouse

Conservation Project at Cabezas de San Juan

Day 3:

Breakfast at the lodging site

Disaster relief and resiliency project in the local community

Dinner at the lodging site

Day 4 + 5:

Breakfast at the lodging site, Pack lunch

Half-day environmental restoration project followed by afternoon project at Boys and Girls Club helping with homework, assisting with recreational activities, and helping youth practice speaking English. Volunteers will also do an environmental education activity

Dinner at the lodging site

Day 6

Breakfast at the lodging site

Disaster relief and resiliency project in the local community

Dinner at the lodging site

Day 7

Breakfast at the lodging site

Coral reef exploration and catamaran trip, learn about coral reef preservation.

Lunch on Catamaran

Dinner at the lodging site

Day 8

Pack for departure

Breakfast at the lodging site

Drop at the airport 2 hours before departure

Students pay a confirmation deposit of $750 to secure their spot in the program upon selection.

The total trip cost is around $2,000 per participant (including the participant service fee and roundtrip flights), plus any optional personal expenses for souvenirs, additional food/snacks, etc. This pricing is all-inclusive and includes housing accommodations, air and ground transportation, food, and activities.

Are there financial support options available?

Selected participants must confirm their spot in the program with a deposit of $750 program fee to cover a portion of the total cost of this trip. If you are unable to pay this program fee, grants/scholarships & other options are possible to cover the fee. No one will be turned away because of a lack of funds.

Fundraising

All participants are required to participate in a fundraising component, developing and organizing a single or series of fundraisers as a team. Funds will go toward the trip cost and as an additional form of service to donate to community partners we work with in Puerto Rico.

Accommodations are available if needed, please contact altbreaks@lclark.edu if you have questions. This trip will require flight travel and ground transportation, which will be accessible. This trip will involve lifting 5-10 pounds, repetitively at times, walking long distances on various terrains, and working outdoors in hot, humid climates. We will work closely with the Office of Student Accessibility to fulfill all accommodation requests.

• Application opens on Friday, October 21st
• Applications are due by Monday, November 7, 2022, at 11:00 PM Pacific Time
• Apply here by downloading, completing, and sending the application to altbreaks@lclark.edu

• Applicants will be notified by Friday, November 11, 2022, to indicate whether or not they were selected for a Group Interview.
• Applicants will be invited to a group interview/activity on Monday, November 14 from 5:30-7:30.
• Applicants will be notified the following week regarding their acceptance to the program based on the following criteria: previous volunteer experience, commitment to the project, intention/motivation, and by demonstrating inclusive, collaborative team member characteristics.
• Selected participants must confirm their spot in the program by November 22 with a deposit of $750 and by filling out a brief contact information form.
  • If selected participants do not submit needed materials, we will reach out to other applicants.