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Link offers alternative break
“We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others’ actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others’ activities. Most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others. Our greatest joy comes when we are motivated by concern for others.”
-excerpts from His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama, August 1999. “Ethics for a New Millennium.”
How about making a positive difference to this country? Imagine, at $250 you get to visit different states and be a helpful community leader by doing volunteer service.
Volunteer Link’s annual opportunity for an alternative spring break for the students is now accepting applications for this spring break. Interested students get the chance to address social issues and be aware of things around them and the nation at large. Each group will have times of fun and hardship together, and get to know each other, which could develop into a lifelong memory and relationship.
The applicants are required to pay $250 each and the rest of the expense of van, meals and lodging are provided by Volunteer Link.
“The alternate spring break would be a great opportunity for the St. Cloud students to experience other cultures, do service learning and help the community,” said Owen Zimpel, director of Volunteer Link.
This spring break, groups will be heading to Louisiana, Ohio, Texas, Kentucky, Montana and Ojibwe Emersion camp. Each of these destinations will have different projects for the students to perform and experience during their stay.
El Paso, Texas. The group heading towards Texas will address the poverty and immigration issues there.
New Orleans, La. Zimpel said this group has been quite popular over the years. The students will work with the community members. The group will also work in collaboration with Volunteers of America.
Golden Pond, Ky. Zimpel said anyone aspiring to be an environmentalist or nature lover should look for this trip to Kentucky as it involves working at trail maintenance and litter clean up.
Columbus, Ohio. The group heading to Ohio will work and deal with the needs of children’s recreational and academic activities.
Lame Deer, Mont. The participants will work and help the American Indian children through Boys and Girls club.
Mini trip: Hinckley, Minn. This group will delve into the Ojibwe culture. The students will get to experience everything that is Ojibwe culture and know what it means to be Ojibwe.
Each group will be assigned a faculty and student leader to interact with and bring about a social change.
Zimpel encourages students to take the opportunities and especially, international students, as it can satisfy the volunteer hours they need for the in-state tuition. Zimpel said this kind of work will receive recognition on students’ co-curricular transcript for credited volunteer hours.
“Involving yourself in an organization and being part of the community is a good college experience, which will also develop leadership skills by being responsible for the things around you. It makes for a more adventurous educational experience,” Zimpel said.
People interested in adventuring out with one of the groups should not be discouraged if they have not tried anything like it before.
“No qualifications are required, just fill out the application and do things that match up to your skill,” Zimpel said.
The trip not only helps people in other parts of the country, but it also helps the participants.
“We were set up to help the less advantaged people. It was an eye opener experience for me and I will never forget it,” said Amanda Ohm, sophomore and anthropology major, who was among one of the 40 volunteers last spring.
For Ohm, her days at the camp were a big realization of the ability of doing something good as an individual and at group level to make difference.
“Usually, college students have this bad reputation of drinking and partying all the time. Such contributions have positive impact on our outlook. They were all impressed that we travelled far away from St. Cloud, Minnesota to help the people in need,” said Ohm.
Students use their skills for the benefit of the community and, at the same time, learn something new.
Any interested students can contact Owen Zimpel at (320) 255-3117 or visit his office in Atwood B111.
Tsewang Sangmo Lama can be reached at: [email protected]
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