Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service
Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching & Service

Alternative Breaks Program

group of students standing in a line on a highway on the US/Mexico border
students walking up a hill in the rain carrying signage
students standing in front of the LOVE sculpture
students sitting on a log in the forest
students standing in front of a colorful art sculpture
Hoya on an immersion

Welcome!

Through the Alternative Breaks Program (ABP), we believe that everyone has a role to play in building a more just world. We believe this work is urgent and that the work of “immersion” extends far beyond a “trip” or “travel.” To more deeply engage in social justice issues through a semester-long social justice immersion including Fall and Spring Break trips this year, check out the descriptions and information below!

FAQs
Explore End of Year Projects of Past Immersions

Mission

The Alternative Breaks Program (ABP) brings together Georgetown community members in order to foster intersectional solidarity and inspire lasting commitments to service and social justice. ABP trips engage with diverse and vibrant communities through direct service, immersion, and reflection in a substance-free environment. By creating a space for sustained dialogue and action, ABP strives to build long-term relationships with community partners and bring the experience home.

Program Overview

The ABP traces its rich history back to 1975, when a group of Georgetown students elected to spend their spring break in Appalachia. Since its founding, ABP has expanded to connect Georgetown students, faculty, and staff to over fifty different domestic and international communities. Currently, ABP supports 2 Fall immerisons and 6 Spring immersion that examine a diverse set of intersecting social justice issues.

Each immersion experience consists of three phases:

Pre and Post trip engagement are mandatory for all participants of all immersions.

Model

In order to achieve its mission, ABP has five ABPillars:

  1. Justice immersion
  2. Solidarity
  3. Community building
  4. Reflection
  5. Substance-free fun

And five Best Practices:

  1. Ask Why
  2. Be Present
  3. Challenge Your Perspective
  4. Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
  5. Bring It Home

These practices are used throughout ABP – during pre-trip activities, the trip, post-trip activities – and beyond.

Get Involved

Georgetown University Students

We encourage you to get engaged with ABP through a leadership role, as a participant, or as a partner.

Leadership: Hone your skills with a cohort of 10 fellow undergraduate students through a year-long social justice leadership development program. Alternative Breaks Program Coordinator develop and facilitate a Spring Break immersion trip with a co-leader This is a weekly commitment September – May, eligible for Federal Work-Study.

Participant: Take a deep dive into social justice and solidarity with a group of 12 Georgetown community members. Participants learn together as a group as you engage your head, heart, and hands and move through pre-trip, trip, and post-trip activities. This is a weekly commitment January – May. There are NO participant fees or fundraising requirements.

Partner: Email altbreaks@georgetown.edu to discuss partnering with ABP!

Connect to our community through social media

For more information and to join the ABP community, follow us on Instagram.

Support the Alternative Breaks Program with a gift

Two Hoyas on the first collective Spring Break in Appalachia immersion in March 1975 were Joanne Landgraff Reott (SLL’77) and Raymond Reott (C’77), who married and became parents of a Hoya, Kate (SFS’13). Self-identified as “strong believers in Georgetown and its values,” Joanne and Raymond have generously donated $100,000 to create a Fund to honor Kathy, Reverend McGee (d. 2021), and all of the Hoyas who have contributed to ABP over the years. Alumni, students, faculty, and friends of the Alternative Breaks Program of Georgetown University are warmly invited to contribute to the Fund established by Joanne Landgraff Reott (SLL’77) and Raymond Reott (C’77). As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of what we now call the Alternative Breaks Program, we are hopeful that the Reott’s generous gift will be a jumpstart to a growing Fund that honors Kathy and Kyle for their original vision. Donate via this secure link. Please direct any questions about this fund to CSJ’s Executive Director, Dr. Andria Wisler, at akw28@georgetown.edu.