Alternative Spring Break
United Way Alternative Spring Break
United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona is welcoming college students from around the country to its second annual United Way Alternative Spring Break in March. The students have chosen to spend their vacation to inspire and be inspired through meaningful community service work in Tucson.
During the course of one week from March 10-March 16, these young adults will work at the six Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson Clubhouses, engaging children age 7 to 17 in fun, educational afterschool activities, as well as sprucing up the facilities by landscaping, gardening and general clean-up.
The college students attending hail from Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Texas, Ohio and Phoenix, Arizona. The students paid a registration fee to live at the Club for a week and make a difference in the lives of hundreds of children who consider the Club their second home.
“We applaud these students who have chosen to spend their vacation making a difference in the lives of our children here in Tucson,” said Tony Penn, President & CEO of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. “Through United Way Alternative Spring Break, we know these young adults will see the power of their volunteer contribution and hope that the experience will inspire them to remain connected past graduation.”
Armando Rios, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson said, “We are truly grateful that these college students choose to forego a traditional vacation to spend quality time working with our at-risk youth. The Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson stresses the importance of community service to our members, and the young adults participating in the Alternative Spring Break through the United Way epitomize this core value.”
The number of children under 18 who are living below the poverty line in Southern Arizona has increased from 22% to 26%. Children raised in impoverished environments are at higher risk for a wide variety of health and social problems, including poor performance in school. The challenges they face in childhood can diminish their chances for successful adult lives.
United Way is committed to helping all children achieve their potential. United Way seeks to ensure that not only do children have the basic tools for achievement, but that they have positive role models for support and guidance. Research has shown that children who have positive mentors in their lives are more likely to stay on track academically and engage in healthy relationships.
