Alternative Break Project

The Alternative Break Project

The Alternative Break Project is a trip in which 15-30 brothers travel to an underprivileged school to engage in volunteer service. The project began in 2007 when Vice President of Chapter Development Erik Walschburger announced his plan to further increase the scope of Phi Sigma Pi's support of the organization. The inaugural trip was held at Carl T. Smith Middle School in January 2008.

Since the inaugural trip, which was held at Carl T. Middle School in Phoenix, the Alternative Break has occurred on the first week of January with applications for interested members being due in late September/Early October. During the trip, brothers have had the opportunity to build playgrounds for students, shadow Teach For America Corp Members, participate in panel discussions, and visit the local area.

Past Trips

• 2008 Alternative Break Project
• 2009 Alternative Break Project
• 2010 Alternative Break Project
• 2011 Alternative Break Project

Funding and Contributions

The National Fraternity has set forth numerous initiatives to help brothers fund or contribute to the Alternative Break Trip. The In 2008, the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation set forth a goal of raising $10,000.00 to help fund the trip. 2008-2010 Senior Vice President Matthew Nicoletta and Karen Cohick helped to create a fundraising page on the National Website and Joshua Marder and Jonah Goodman worked to create a facebook cause page, facilitating donations from brothers to the event. These donations typically go to the purchase of playground equipment, asphalt, and playground stencils. As of September 16th, 2008, 403 brothers had joined the facebook cause, making it one of the largest Phi Sigma Pi related groups on facebook.

During the 2009 National Convention, it was announced that the Phi Sigma Pi Foundation had established a new fund titled, "Making Our Own Rules". The funds raised will support Fraternity philanthropic programs such as the Alternative Break Project, Phi Sigma Pi Teachers Grants and the Phi Sigma Pi Student Essay Contest.

Two Brothers Josh and Britt Marder challenged the Brotherhood and as a result raised $16,000 in one night for the Making Our Own Rules Fund.Read more about this fund and the challenge in the upcoming Lampadion alumni magazine.

Links

• Alternative Break Project Facebook Page
• 2009 Alternative Break Project Facebook Group
• Alternative Break Project Facebook Cause Page
• 2009 Alternative Break Project
• 2008 Alternative Break Project Page