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College Nine and College Ten are the only colleges on campus to sponsor an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) Program of their own. In past years, the ASB has brought students to Mexico and New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding efforts. More recently, the ASB has focused on our immediate community. The ASB class counts for two-units, fulfills the General Education Service requirement, and allows for a more comprehensive understanding of local issues in a supportive, diverse, and group-oriented environment. For the past two years, the ASB students volunteered in Live Oak. This year’s program will take place in Watsonville.
In preparation for the class, Provost Flora Lu and Abbey Asher, the service-learning coordinator for the colleges, have been hard at work making connections with leaders working toward positive change in the Watsonville community. Both Flora and Abbey have been struck by the gratitude expressed by these Watsonville leaders over the fact that the university is taking on this initiative. Flora and Abbey have been met with a very enthusiastic response. Watsonville leaders are eager to meet and work with our students.
This course is designed to help students learn practical skills to become change agents in the community. Not only will they be able to better understand the complexities of social justice issues, they will be able to apply this knowledge in working with local community members to find effective solutions. 24 students in the ASB 2016 program will:
Provide gas for one day for two vans. You'll receive a thank you note from our students!
Provide one scholarship to an ASB student participant. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo.
Contribute toward the Monterey Bay Murals project--a collaboration between our students and student leaders from Watsonville High’s leadership program ECHO. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo.
Provide one-day rental of a van for ASB participants. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo.
Contribute toward the creation of a documentary of our experience by a student from the Digital Nest (a non-profit in Watsonville) totaling $500. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo, AND an invitation to our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the end of the year!
Provide snacks for the student volunteers during the ASB week. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo, AND an invitation to our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the end of the year!
Contribute toward a dinner with the Center for Farmworker Families. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo, AND an invitation to our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the end of the year!
Contribute toward two stipends for our dedicated student leaders. You'll receive a thank you note from our students, and mug or waterbottle with the College Nine or College Ten logo, AND an invitation to our Volunteer Recognition Ceremony at the end of the year!