The Alternative Break program, a division of the Office of PittServes, provides students with the opportunity to serve communities during their Spring Break. By removing students from campus, we create an opportunity for students to see how they and others are affected by the social, economic and political forces.
Our goal is to get students involved in various service-based projects that address social and environmental issues locally, nationally, and globally. The service does not stop when students return to campus, because we are able to work with students and direct their passion towards organizations and community partners within the Pitt and Pittsburgh community.
Over the years, the Alternative Break has provided both local and domestic Spring Break trips. This year we expanded our programming to include more opportunities, which include Fall Break programming and an international trip to Quito, Ecuador. Our goal is to provide more opportunities for students.
To do this, we need to reduce the largest barrier to them: the cost. Your donation through EngagePitt will go directly to the students by providing scholarships and covering program costs like housing, food, and travel.
Check out some photos from past projects:
There are plenty of opportunities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community. To find out more go to pittserves.pitt.edu. You can also join us on social media by going to @PittServes on Twitter and Instagram and liking our Facebook page by going to Facebook.com/PittServes.
To find out about volunteer opportunities within the Pitt community, sign up for an account through the PittServes Volunteer Portal by heading to volunteer.pitt.edu.
The brown bag (or our preferred environmentally-friendly reusable lunch bag) is a staple of school students, nine-to-fivers, and volunteers. Help provide packed lunches to our Alt Breakers this Spring Break.
Pittsburgh: our namesake, our pride, our city. Help send Alt Breakers to the neighborhoods we love the most this Spring Break.
Just like s'mores, you cant just have one. With your donation you will send TWO Alt Breakers to Camp Kon-O-Kwee this Spring Break.
Hiking, digging, and blisters are just some of the things our Alt Breakers have to look forward to while they move dirt around on the Cumberland Trail. Put an Alt Breaker to work this Spring Break.
Send a student to Washington, D.C. to help learn about the social and political issues surrounding hunger and homelessness in our nation's capital.
Transportation is one of the largest costs associated with an Alt Break. Your donation would help fund the transportation for Spring Break trips.
They have the passports, the clearances, and the passion for service. Your donation will send an Alt Breaker to Quito, Ecuador this Spring Break.