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Community Outreach

Alternative Breaks - Week Long Trips

Philadelphia, PA, Alternative Break Trip, March 8-16, 2008

General Program Information
Issue Focus: Healthcare
Cost of Trip: $200.00 **
Student Trip Director(s): Bryan Banville, Trip Director (bryan.banville@uconn.edu)
Acceptance of Applications: August 24, 2007
Application Deadline: November 9, 2007
Notification of Participation: November 16, 2007
Trip Leaves: March 8, 2008
Trip Returns: March 16, 2008

** Price may vary with group fundraising projects.

The application deadline has passed.

Health Care is a universal issue across the world, in conjunction with economic and social issues, a majority of people are unable to receive the proper medical treatment; whereas, others with the same illness or disease can be treated in a number of days. In America, where the large “baby boomer” generation is reaching the retirement age, it has become apparent that the country will be strained in order to provide the proper medical attention necessary to live a full and healthy. This trip will try to witness these aspects of this issue in various communities in Philadelphia.

Trip Preparation

In preparation for this week long trip, students will learn about health care issues in America today. The group will meet weekly to discuss relevant readings; “do” team building exercises, plan possible fundraising opportunities, and service with local community groups. These once a week meetings average about an hour and a half and are mandatory for participants of this program.

Trip Description

The group will meet at the Student Union at a designated time agreed upon by the group. From there they will drive to Philadelphia in Community Outreach vans. The group will be staying at The Newman Center on Drexel University’s Campus. The group will prepare and eat most of their meals at The Newman Center.

The group will be participating in different service opportunities throughout the week. Past service activities have included:

  • The Caring People Alliance - Student’s painted a mural as part of a blight campaign at a Boy’s and Girls Club
  • Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Education Center - Participants cut down invasive vines in a wilderness center and learned about local environmental issues.
  • Inglis House http://www.inglis.org/ - Participants have worked with residents and assisted with recreational activities in the house.
  • Neighborhood Bike Works - Participants rebuilt bikes that were going to be donated to local children.
  • Belmont-Parkside Geriatric Center - Participants assisted staff in recreational activities including a karaoke contest, and the wheelchair Olympics.
  • St. John’s Hospice- Serviced lunch to 400 homeless men and visit with residents during the evening.
  • MANNA http://www.mannapa.org/frameset.asp - Volunteers assisted with meal preparation and then delivered to home bound individuals.

The sites change year to year given the agency need and the week chosen. At each site the group will be given an orientation to the organization. Each night the group will meet to reflect on the days activities. This is a drug and alcohol free weekend and we expect the group to stay together at all times.

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