Sunday, March 11, 2007

Spring Breakin' the Mold

Adventure out into the world of alternative spring breaks -- where youth build communities and their own self-esteem.

Issue: Activist Spring Breaks
Why: Youth develop leadership and help others
Action: Educate, show solidarity, and make a difference.

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Calling all leaders of tomorrow! Why not act today? Or, specifically, during your school spring break vacation. Alternative spring break volunteer opportunities offer multiple ways to make a difference, and helping communities is a great alternative to meaningless parties and wallet-emptying getaways. Assisting those in need is not only good for your resume, social life and empowerment of disenfranchised neighborhoods, it's also good for your soul.

Organizations like MTV-Think and Youth Venture donate money to activists to empower local communities, while United Way offers testimonials from youth just like you who've ventured out to help others. Check out the following links to make plans for your substitute to Daytona, Cancun and the rest of consumerist society's party traps. The future is yours; here's how to change it for the better:

Hear stories, watch videos and sign up to get involved at this activist One-Stop.
Springbreakalternative.org

Young leaders break down what it feels like to help others.
Blog.unitedway.org

Tutor farmers in Florida, build homes in Appalachia, register voters in Mississippi or work with the homeless in Washington, D.C.
AlternativeBreaks.org

Accept the Katrina Challenge: Help rebuild New Orleans. Applications are still open.
KatrinaCorps.org

Volunteer abroad in over 50 counties. Choose from one-week to one-year projects. Flexible!
UnitedPlanet.org

Intern here and gain insight from community work and connections around the world.
CrossCulturalSolutions.org

Organize on issues of education, discrimination, sexuality, environment, global concerns and national politics through MTV and their Think project.
Mtv.com/thinkmtv

An international organization working with high schools, universities and community-based organizations to engage in fundraising, community development and disaster relief.
CommunityCollaborations.org

Have a great idea that will help your community? Want up to $1,000 to do it? Check them out!
YouthVenture.org

This multitasking organization hooks young leaders up with opportunities to do service work across the country: teach, tutor, win awards, apply for grants and so much more!
CommunityService.wustl.edu

Eman Rimawi is a black, Native American and Palestinian Queer woman of color from NYC. She is a writer, performance artist, singer, teacher, student, community organizer and freethinker. Eman has one motto that leads what she does in this world: briliance comes from the heart. She is living with Lupus and continues to work with the Lupus Foundation of NYC to help raise money for a cure. She also works on her website (still under construction), promotes her writing and photography. She's planning on running for local political office in NYC and will one day be the mayor of NYC. Eman is also starting What You Make Of It, an intensive internship organization that enables and empowers urban youth in their personal, professional and community development as leaders.

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