United Way Announces 2007 Plans for
Alternative Spring Break Program
United Way of Connecticut Seeks to Engage Young People in Rebuilding Gulf Coast by Participating in Alternative Spring Break 2007
Rocky Hill, CT – United Way of Connecticut is inviting young people between the ages of 18 and 24 from Connecticut to apply for a spot as a participant in United Way of America’s national program, ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK 2007. The week-long community service program will focus on rebuilding the Gulf Coast and will provide opportunities for young people to help change their own communities through service.
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK is a program of United Way of America, originally created in partnership with think MTV. The goal of the program is to inspire young people to engage in community service during their spring vacations and help rebuild the Gulf Coast still devastated by the hurricanes of 2005. As part of that effort, United Way of Connecticut is helping to promote the program to young people to participate in ASB 2007 Gulf Coast.
“We are excited that for the second year in a row, we will be offering the ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK program that will provide young people a meaningful opportunity to spend time giving back to those in need in the Gulf or their own communities,” said Brian A. Gallagher, president and CEO, United Way of America. “It’s truly a win-win when we can combine the energy, enthusiasm and positive attitude of young people with opportunities to make a measurable difference in people’s lives – whether in the Gulf Coast or their own backyards.”
Based on the overwhelming success of the first ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK program called Storm Corps sponsored by FedEx and The Home Depot Foundation, United Way is increasing the scope of the program for 2007. In March 2006, 94 Storm Corps participants assisted in the rebuilding efforts in Biloxi, MS and Foley, AL by completing projects such as removing debris from yards, repairing porches and roofs, tearing out walls and rebuilding a youth recreation center. Among the diverse group of applicants selected for the program, all reported that they were more likely to volunteer as a result of the program and 89 percent reported that they planned to “activate” their experience at home by getting involved in their communities, sharing their experiences or encouraging others to volunteer.
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