During winter break, 76 Saint Anselm students participated in Winter Break Alternative, as part of Service and Solidarity Missions overseen by Campus Ministry.

There were five service locations in which students traveled, Austin, Texas, Camden, New Jersey, New Orleans, Louisiana, Washington, D.C., and Dominican Republic. The trips took place over January 5th to the 12th.

Students spent their time over the week volunteering within the community, whether it be serving in soup kitchens, tutoring children, or building and renovating homes.

Senior Sarah Haigh led the New Orleans trip, where they stayed in a house for volunteers run by nuns and a Jesuit volunteer. While there, students served at St. Joan of Arc Elementary School.

“It was amazing to see how much the students of the school bonded and came to know our group of outstanding participants. Leaving the school at the end of the week was so difficult for us and for them, but it showed how much St. A’s participants left their mark in the classes and hearts of the students in New Orleans,” said Haigh.

This year’s Winter Break Alternative also included for the first time a trip specific to Education majors. 14 Saint Anselm students, along with chair of the Education department Professor Laura Wasielewski and Father Anselm Smedile,O.S.B., spent the week volunteering at Saint Gabriel’s Catholic Middle School in Texas. The trip provided education students with an opportunity to have a variety of experiences in the classroom.

“It was a great experience and really helped the classes we volunteered in. The trip went really well and everyone learned a great deal from the experience,” said senior Education major Martha Lombard.

Now in its 23rd year, the Service and Solidarity Missions program enables students to learn about Catholic social teaching while spending time living and working with those most in need.

Spring Break Alternative will take place from March 2nd through the 9th. Service locations include Mississippi, Michigan, Texas, Kentucky, Maine, Pennsylvania, Arizona , and Maryland.