Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) allows students to embrace the school motto, “through truth and service,” by giving back to various communities around the United States.
According to the university chapel’s website, “this year’s theme is Service with Impact: Empowering Communities and Dismantling Disparities.”
This year, students traveled to 22 locations across South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, Alabama, New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Louisiana and Missouri.
Rainy and full of anticipation was how Mame Koduah described departure day. Koduah, a sophomore psychology major with a biology minor from Massachusetts by way of Ghana, served in Memphis under the initiative of community development and youth empowerment.
“It was nerve-wracking. Even in the midst of the noise and everyone’s excitement, it was quiet. I was comfortable travelling, yet nervous about travelling with 40 other people,” Koduah said.
She served at Treadwell Elementary and Middle School and the Refugee Empowerment Program (REP).
“At Tradewell, I spent most of my time interacting with first graders, connecting with them while assisting their teachers. At REP, I assisted middle schoolers with their homework,” Koduah said. She said she also encouraged students to look at their next steps academically.
She shared that departure for service each day from their lodge was at 8:15 am. Koduah spent three to four hours a day at Treadwell Elementary and four hours at REP.
“The experience itself taught me how connected we can be with people we’ve known for a short period of time,” Koduah said.
She learned the importance of service and the impact that conversations can have on the youth.
Reginald Chandler, a junior biology major and chemistry minor from Felton, Delaware, served in Aiken, South Carolina at Oakwood-Windsor Elementary School and ACTS Retail Store under the initiative of community development and youth holistic wellness.
At the elementary school, Chandler read to students, assisted teachers with their lessons, worked with students on their writing skills and built connections. At ACTS Retail Store, he helped sort donated clothing and organize items.
“ASB exposed me to different forms of service and different communities in a very hands-on way,” Chandler said.
He explains that he learned service isn’t one-dimensional.
“One moment I was helping students write sentences in a classroom, and the next I was sorting clothing for families in need. Both made an impact,” Chandler said.
As someone who says he isn’t afraid to step out of his comfort zone, Chandler socialized through being present and listening to stories.
“I knew this was something I wanted to be a part of. It felt like the perfect mix of service, growth and community–and I wasn’t about to miss that,” Chandler said.
Jordan Boyce, a sophomore transfer acting major from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, desired to create a safe space and be reliable for the youth through his service.
Boyce served in Washington, D.C., at Center City Public School and Martha’s Table. During his time at Center City he “spent time engaging with kindergartners and middle schoolers.”
“The middle schoolers were able to participate in a discussion where they asked about our college experience and what it takes to get here,” Boyce said.
At Martha’s Table, students provided families with essential goods such as fruits, vegetables and bread.
Boyce would wake up at 7:30am and be on the bus by 8:00am. “Each day me and my peers started at Martha’s table for three to four hours, then we would go to the school to do service,” Boyce said.
During this time, he was able to build connections with both the communities he served and Howard students that served with him.
Boyce shared that he has become more committed to serving the communities around him because of this week of service.
Copy edited by Daryl R. Thomas Jr.