MY ASB | Sign Up

Winter Trips

AIDS Project | Los Angeles, CA

HIV/AIDS

Students will work inside the agency. They will have the chance to learn about this disease, meet clients, and be a part of an exciting event the organization has planned for the week!

Each year hundreds of people are diagnosed as HIV positive. AIDS Project Los Angeles is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by HIV disease, reducing the incidence of HIV infection, and advocating for fair and effective HIV-related public policy. Students will be working inside the agency, the food bank, and the dental office while directly learning about it. An HIV 101 session will be given to volunteers, and they will help with greeting clients, and any events which may be held the week of the visit.

Best Friends Animal Society | Kanab, UT

Animals

Best Friends Animal Society works to reduce the number of abandoned, neglected and ultimately destroyed animals in shelters across the United States. Volunteers will be able to provide care for animals in several of the Best Friend's sanctuaries and will work on ongoing projects to improve facilities.

Guided by the philosophy, "kindness to animals builds a better world for all of us," Best Friends Animal Society has worked to reduce the number of abandoned, neglected, and ultimately destroyed animals in shelters across the United States since the late 1980s. Their sanctuary in southern Utah houses and rehabilitates about 2,000 dogs, cats, and other animals at any given time while their outreach includes animal rescue/disaster response as well as working to set up spay/neuter, shelter, foster and adoption programs in communities across the country. ASB volunteers will have the opportunity over their week of service to provide care for animals in one of Best Friend's sanctuaries (including Dog Town, Cat World, Bunny House, Horse Haven, Parrot Garden, and Piggy Paradise) or potentially work on an ongoing project to improve the facilities. The ASB group will engage in a tour of the facility as well as have the opportunity to hear an educational talk about one of Best Friend's current campaigns: Puppy Mills, Pit Bull "Profiling", and Focus on Felines.

Family and Children Faith Coalition - Children of Inmates | Miami, FL

Human Rights

Students will get to work with the Children of Inmates program, learn about issues within the prisons system, and learn about the culture of Dade county.

The Family & Children Faith Coalition’s mission is to help South Florida communities flourish by resourcing, networking, and training local organizations. Volunteers will work with the Service Network for Children of Inmates, helping children write letters to their incarcerated parents, assist in chaperoning field trips to the prisons for parent bonding visits, and other activities with the children. Volunteers will spend a day learning about the issues surrounding the penile system and learning about the culture of Dade county.

Foundation for Children with Cancer | St. Louis, MO

Health Care

Students will interact with children with cancer at the hospital, help in construction for families of the children, and cook a meal at Ronald McDonald Home.

The Foundation for Children with Cancer’s mission is to provide financial support to families of children with cancer. Volunteers will interact with the children and the hospital, providing them with a positive and loving role model as well as emotional support. Volunteers will also assist with the art therapy program at Cardinal Glenin Hospital, cook a meal at the Ronald McDonald House one evening during their stay, and work on construction projects at the homes of some families of the children with cancer. Examples of construction projects include building sidewalks, fences, basements, and handicap ramps.

National Coalition for the Homeless | Washington D.C.

Hunger and Homelessness

Students will experience homelessness firsthand by participating in the Homeless Challenge. The challenge is a 48 hour opportunity in which students live among the homeless community. The group will also volunteer in soup kitchens, food pantries, work in shelters in the area and possibly meet with government officials to advocate for homeless rights.

The highlight of this trip is a 48 hour homeless challenge, in which students are paired up to explore the streets during the day and sleep in the streets with a guide during the night to truly experience homelessness. This educational opportunity shows volunteers homelessness from a different angle. After the challenge, volunteers will set up and complete various projects such as: working in homeless shelters, serving in soup kitchens, working for various food banks and working for "street sense," a newspaper written by and sold by homeless individuals. Students may also get the chance, through the national coalition, to lobby at congress for homeless rights. An informational packet on the homeless challenge can be found by copying & pasting this link into your browser: http://www.nationalhomeless.org/projects/Homeless_Challenge_Project/HCP%20information%20packet.pdf

Quitman County School District | Marks, MS & Lambert, MS

Youth Poverty and Education

Quitman County School District has been struggling to meet national standards. In an area plagued with poverty, many students are not shown the different post-high school opportunities available to them. The School District is working hard to help their students meet their full potential and overcome difficult circumstances.

Quitman County School District is a small district that straddles two neighboring towns, Marks and Lambert, MS. Volunteers will be placed within all grade levels pre-K - 4th. Volunteer work will range from helping students in the school garden (possibly doing mini lessons on the merits of organic produce, and the green movement across the country), school renovations (painting, moving furniture, etc.), assisting teachers, and assisting students in college/financial aid application processes. Might be able to coordinate with the local youth organization to create a presentation/educational/college night of sorts.

SAWS - Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards | Tellico Plains, TN

Environmental Concerns

Students will get to work on trail maintenance in the Citico Creek Wilderness, The Bald River Gorge Wilderness and the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area.

SAWS is a non-profit organization that is set up to maintain the beauty of the Appalachia Region. It is an area that is conserved to help maintain the trails to enjoy this area and volunteers will get to help keep preserve this breathtaking Wilderness area. Volunteers will get to help by keeping the trail maintenance of the Citico Creek Wilderness, The Bald River Gorge Wilderness and the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area. They will learn many valuable skills through this labor of helping conserve one of nature’s most beautiful spots.

Victory Living | Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Elderly & Disability Awareness

Victory Living is a non-profit agency which serves adults with a variety of disabilities. This organization focuses on promoting and helping to provide independent living and life skills, employment, and community supports for the adults in the program. Participants will assist the adults in learning how to cook, work in the garden center, and help in recreation and leisure activities.

The organization includes a semi independent training center, independent living in the community with supports, and employment services. Victory Living provides daily living skills enhancement, functional education and training, employment services and general supervision. This organization stresses self reliance as a goal for its clients. During their stay, volunteers will assist individuals in learning to cook and creating menus, working in the garden center, as well as possibly planning their own event for the members in the program. Recreation and leisure activities are important for everyone, and volunteers provide a great help in assisting some of these individuals to help them reach independence.