Immigration is a hot political issue and it is important for citizens to be informed about both sides of the argument as well as to recognize that there are real people behind these issues. The United States/Mexico border is a unique 2,500 mile stretch of land where an industrialized nation is next to a developing country. Topics such as globalization, NAFTA, border police, poverty, racism, etc. all collide here. When we discuss the issues we tend to intellectualize them but at the same time we dehumanize the people affected. We will attempt to better understand the complexity of all these topics in El Paso, and more importantly the effects of these issues at home. Our goal is to make connections with and aid the community in El Paso as they see fit while also trying to see the issues from a broader perspective. AWB El Paso 2009 Blog: http://awb2009elpaso.blogspot.com

• Winter Trip Leaders:

• Spring Trip Leaders:

This Spring Break, we will be traveling to Gaston, North Carolina to learn more about our education system. Gaston is a small town near the Virginia border that has a population of only 895. The specific issue we will address will be the achievement gap between students of low-income areas and students of high-income areas. We will identify the root causes of the achievement gap and discuss its impact on the Gaston community and our local community. In Gaston, we will be working with a KIPP middle school. KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) is a public charter school that serves low-income areas. KIPP schools all over the country have helped students catch up to their peers and raise their test scores. Students at KIPP go to school from 7AM to 5PM on weekdays, two Saturdays each month, and three weeks of the summer. We will be partnering with this school to learn about what it takes to fill in the achievement gap. AWB Gaston 2009 Blog: http://awb2009gastonnc.blogspot.com

• Winter, Spring

• Winter Trip Leaders:

• Spring Trip Leaders:

Goals: To educate students about the economic development needs of countries in the Global South; To examine the impact of tourism on an impoverished community; To expose students to different cultures. Related issues that will be discussed: Economic development; Tourism; Poverty AWB Bahamas 2009 Blog: http://awb2009bahamas.blogspot.com

• Winter

• Winter Trip Leaders

You’ve heard about the war, the money, the weapons, but have you listened to who is doing the fighting?  Those are the people who are now waging internal battles because of their commitment to and belief in our country? What exactly is the price of patriotism?  Certainly more than $250. ASB DC 2009 Blog: http://asbdc2009.blogspot.com

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders:

Lets talk about sex.  For real.  This trip will be covering two related themes.  HIV/AIDS and sex work.  We will be taking a critical look at how sex operates in society.  Also we will look into how race, class and gender contribute to the rates of sex work and HIV/AIDS.  We will be working with the Terrance C. Cook Health Care Center with AIDS residents as well as gaining perspectives on the lives of sex workers in New York.  In the state of New York there are over 78,000 living with HIV/AIDS right now.  Although these issues are separate, we will be seeing how they intersect and how other social justice issues contribute to the problems seen in New York City.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

This year’s San Francisco trip will take a holistic approach to the Prison-Industrial-Complex, examining the experiences and stages individuals experience in the process. The trip will look at systems such as education, poverty and racism that push people into pipelines that send them into prisons. We will visit both juvenile and adult facilities and then examine the support networks that try to prevent recidivism.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Goals: To learn about access to healthcare; To address the intersecting issues of healthcare and race, socio-economic class, and immigration status. Related issues that will be discussed: Hunger, Health insurance, Mental health, Homelessness, Immigration, Race, Class

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

“There's a way of life that most folks don't even know about…” Truer words have never been spoken by Kenny Price. Appalachia is one of the worst poverty stricken places in the United States and unfortunately people are oblivious to this crisis faced by thousands of people every day. In the 1960s, Appalachians had standards of living compared to third world nations. To this day, poverty there remains undefeated and in a distressed condition. Light needs to be shone not only on rural poverty, but also related issues that stem from this such as affordable housing, economic development, hunger, and healthcare. Participants will help address these problems through home construction and repairs for those affected by this plight. The biggest gains from this trip will not only be the physical labor of building a home, but the emotional rewards and life-long learning from the one-on-one interaction with residents of Appalachia.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Chicago, IL is located on the southwestern shore of Michigan, which is the third most populated city in the United States. However, as of 2004 15% of the population was living below the poverty line. This trip will investigate the issues of hunger and the underlining issues that surround it. We will be working with local agencies and food distribution centers in the Chicago area. Participants will learn the causes of hunger and ways to become involved in the issue locally and nationally.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Atlanta, Georgia was home to the premier of Gone with the Wind and the 1996 Summer Olympics. Despite the rich history of this city, Atlanta is still plagued with homelessness. During our one-week stay, we will focus primarily on the effect of homelessness on children. We will be staying at a hostel and learn about the homelessness situation from local Universities such as Georgia Tech and Emory. The organization with which we will work closely is the Atlanta Children’s Shelter, many kids dealing with the repercussions of unemployed parents stay. In addition to learning more and taking action on the cause, students will be able to enjoy the excitement of downtown Atlanta.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Regardless of the fact that Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans a full 3 years ago, residents are still dealing with the devastation that the storm caused. Our government's response time after the hurricane was atrocious and now that they have withdrawn funding from the city, residents need help more than ever. For spring break, we will be traveling down to New Orleans and working with Habitat For Humanity there to help rebuild houses and learn about the colorful history and world-renown culture of the city. We will also be learning about the social issues of racism, classism, and poverty that plague the city.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Pine Ridge is one of the poorest areas in the country and home to the Lakota people. The Native American Experience is not an issue but rather is a place where many issues including poverty, veterans’ affairs, alcoholism, economic development, and genocide all intersect. Our goal is to re-educate students about American history and the first people of the land. Through the non-profit organization, RE-Member, students will be exposed to Native American culture and issues affecting the community and will help the community on the reservation in any way possible (most likely building beds, cleaning out homes of tribal elders, etc).

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

The Florida Keys is a group of islands located below the peninsula of Florida. Although it is known as a great travel destination in the United States, it is a staple destination to learn about environmental restoration. This Alternative Spring Break Trip will allow the participants to help clean the ocean and protect coral reefs. The Key to this trip will be learning from scholastic organizations and research centers about the harm that is being done to our environment.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America and one of the largest in the world, with a watershed that covers over 64,000 square miles and is home to over 16 million people.  Yet due to mass-production agriculture and industrial development, the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem now suffers from pollution and nutrient run-off that harms both fish and plant life.  On this trip, we will visit many sites in and around the Chesapeake in order to learn more about why it is such an important resource as well as pinpoint the major problems it faces from industry, agriculture, and people.  Through field programs with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and local service projects, participants will not only expand their knowledge of the Chesapeake, but will be able to actively engage in its improvement.  We will also learn about how sustainable farming practices can be one of the keys to the Bay's restoration, and what we can do to support policies that enhance its biodiversity and ecological health.  Trips to areas such as Clagett Farm and the Master Peace Community Garden will allow participants to get a first-hand look at sustainable agriculture, as well as a better understanding of how community-supported agriculture works.  We will camp outside for part of the week. 

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Often considered the Capital of New England, Boston is one of the oldest cities in America, rich in both political and cultural history. The city is also a pioneer of education and the site of several firsts, including America's first public school, founded in 1635, first college (1636), and first public school built for black children (1834). Boston's cultural identity is strongly tied to its intellectual reputation as a center of higher education. On top of having the most colleges and universities located in one city, Boston also has several ornate theaters, art museums and renowned performing arts organizations. Art and education is often an overlooked relationship, and with this trip, we hope to explore issues of urban poverty, race and class, use art to inspire at-risk youth to strive for higher education, and meet with policy makers to discuss making it more accessible and affordable for Boston's evolving demographics.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Costa Rica is a unique country in several respects, home to a very diverse ecosystem and a highly stable democracy.  The government of Costa Rica thrives because of enlightened leadership, comparative prosperity, flexible class lines, and educational opportunities which are taken advantage of by a large portion of the population.  Our trip will be traveling to Cartago, the former capital of Costa Rica, to participate in community development activities.  We will be working and living with Cross Cultural Solutions and partnering with youth-centered organizations such as Escuela de Ensenanza Especial "Carlos Luis Valle", Manos de Jesus, and Chispita Day Care.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders

Peru is the fifth most populous country in Latin America and is home to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu. Despite this and a growing economy, Peru still faces many challenges, one being internal migration. Participants will work in Villa Salvador which is a city outside of Lima that was founded through migration and that has become a model of self sufficiency. Participants will be working in this city to assist an underprivileged community. Students will learn the history of the city as well as the difficulties citizens face on a daily basis. Beyond doing service, students will learn about the culture and history of Lima.

• Spring

• Spring Trip Leaders