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 2008 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.

Since the inaugural trip, which was held at Carl T. Middle School in Pheonix, the Alternative Break has occured 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.

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, thus reducing the costs for members. 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.

Links

2008 Alternative Break Trip

January 6-12 - Thirteen Brothers participated in the first Teach For America Alternative Break Trip to Carl T. Smith Middle School in Phoenix, Arizona.

January 6

Brothers arrived at the Sky Harbor International Airport, many after 5 hour or longer flights. From there they rode shuttles to the Embassy Suites where they all eventually met up. Everyone got to know one another as they settled in for the week. That night the Brothers in attendance met with some local TFA teachers for dinner.

January 7

Brothers arrived at Carl T. Smith Middle School at 8:00 am this morning. They met with the principal to discuss the plans for the week. Brothers were escorted outside into the rain to unload 25 trees from the delivery truck. They managed to plant 13 trees in the rain by the end of the afternoon.

January 8

Brothers worked into classrooms today. They helped teachers, sat in on grade level meetings, and got to work one on one with students. Brothers met local TFA teachers for dinner at Macayo's Mexican Restaurant.

January 9

Brothers planted the rest of the 12 trees today. They also spread a lot (half a ton!) of red rock and placed the school's initials in the rock.