Alternative Spring Break

Each spring, dozens of college students break from the stereotypical mold of beachfront party-goers, by giving their spring break vacation time back to the community in order to help people they don’t even know.

These service conscious students from around the country come to Jacksonville to take part in much needed community service projects coordinated through FreshMinistries Center for Urban Initiative’s Alternative Spring Break program.

FreshMinistries matches the students with our some of partner agencies to help the elderly and disabled repair their homes, offer support and compassion to HIV/AIDS patients, provide packing services loading clothing and supplies for disaster relief efforts and mentoring children in Jacksonville’s core-city.

“I didn’t realize (AIDS) was a disease you can beat. You can live with it and carry on with your life.”

- James Madison University student Gretchen Flack, as quoted in the Florida Times-Union after volunteering with St. Johns Horizon House during her Alternative Spring Break time with FreshMinistries.

Our community partners benefiting from the generous spirit of these students are Habijax, an organization that builds affordable, safe housing within the core city, St. Johns Horizon House, a residential housing and support services facility for people afflicted with HIV/AIDS, the Sanctuary on 8th Street, a core city youth after school program and Dignity U Wear an organization that provides new clothing for disaster victims and individuals who cannot afford appropriate clothing for school and work.

In addition to helping children, families and core-city neighborhoods, Alternative Spring Breakers are exposed to some of life’s harder lessons as they see first hand the challenges many of our less fortunate neighbors face everyday in their lives. Alternative Spring Break offers an emotional, personal growth experience to the students who participate in the program and an incredible morale boost to those they help.

FreshMinistries considers the college program an investment in our community. By developing and nurturing new leaders in urban redevelopment, we are helping ensure a better community for tomorrow. The college students locate FreshMinistries through Breakaway, a national program that links college students with organizations involved in community work. Visiting groups have come from far and wide, including Vanderbilt University, University of Mobile, Central Michigan, Jackson State, Xavier and James Madison.


Please note: This is a past program and is no longer a part of FreshMinistries' current set of initiatives.