Alternative Break Wrap-Up

Service is giving back to the community and those in need. In the past, I have demonstrated service by collecting and donating canned goods to food pantries. Additionally, I have donated gently used clothes to Salvation Army so that those who do not have them may use them. While my actions were very thoughtful, I missed the element of interacting with the less fortunate. As a result, I decided to join Alternative Breaks: Atlanta to study how I could solve the issues surrounding poverty, food security and access so that it does not continue in the future. 

During the week, the group worked with several community partners on different service projects that benefited the Atlanta community one way or another. For example, on Monday we visited the West End Community Urban Garden. We pulled weeds and put topsoil down to help prepare the garden for harvesting. I learned from Haylene, also known as the Gardening Queen, that she trains local citizens how to garden and sells the produce from her garden to local markets. She serves as a pipeline to fixing the food desert in the community. Another example would be when we visited the Initiative for Affordable Housing site. This organization provides housing assistance to homeless and low-income families. They also own a weaving shop called Re:Loom where those who participate in the housing assistance program are employed to make crafty things such as rugs, dog collars, and purses from old fabric. Although my job as a volunteer to cut up fabric seemed very trivial, I was actually lessened the burden and further progressed the job of others. The last example would be Wednesday when we worked at the Atlanta Community Food Bank. After packing boxes full of cucumbers and green bell peppers, I was satisfied knowing that the time I spent would provide 7, 363 meals. 

Overall, I enjoyed the Alternative Break experience. I believe I fulfilled the vision for the program. I became educated on the social issue of poverty and food insecurity. I found ways within the Atlanta community on how to solve such important problem. Lastly, I developed the virtues of compassion and empathy. It makes me feel great at the end of the day to know that I have been a part of something bigger than me.

-Ciera