NEW ALTERNATIVE
Trip Details
Something New has been facilitating service-learning programs since 2008 and believes in thought-provoking, challenging, life-changing service learning trips! We hope this website will provide you with more information on our organization, what to expect, and detailed information on some services we offer. Additional questions or inquires can be directed to the New Alternative program director, Emily Mumford, at emily@somethingnew.org
Read on for a quick overview of the New Alternative service learning break program or click here to download the full packet.
Interested in bringing a group to serve in Clarkston? Find our 2018-2019 New Alternative application, here.
PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY
We believe in the importance of blending direct service with education to provide Alternative Breakers with a week they will never forget. While our educational components are optional, we highly recommend colleges select at least one of these components to create a meaningful and balanced service-learning experience. Students have told us that this break has challenged, encouraged, stretched, inspired, frustrated, and deeply impacted them all at the same time. This experience can be uncomfortable and challenge the perceptions and perspectives of students who visit our program.
GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS
Our goal is a change more enduring than a fresh profile pic on Facebook. We encourage students to use their New Alternative experience to reflect on what they hope to get out of life and how what they learn should directly impact their future.
While service is an important component of our trip, it is not the sole focus of our program, so it is important for groups considering our site to understand our emphasis on education. That said, we strive to customize each group’s visit to provide a well-balanced trip that incorporates the right amount of education and service.
PROGRAM COSTS
One of the unique benefits of the New Alternative service-learning experience is that we work alongside your college/university in coordinating housing and activities for your college while in Clarkston.
Our New Alternative program is here to assist your group in each step of the planning process. We’ve created a base cost for each participant in our program of $150/per person including New Way training, programming, and an administrative fee.
Participants who attend our New Alternative Clarkston trip can expect to stay in housing near the Clarkston community. We have a variety of housing connections in the Atlanta area, all of which include a kitchen and showers.
ACTIVITES AND OPTIONS
Community Service & School Immersion
Many groups elect to serve through a variety of community service projects including volunteering with agencies welcoming refugees to the city, serving with community garden and beautification projects, and assisting other organizations with community projects. Some service learning groups may also have the opportunity to volunteer in the Clarkston schools that New Alternative has a partnership with by providing in-class tutoring, after school programs and other extra-curricular activities.
Nonviolence Conflict Management Training
The training, provided by our New Way team, provides participants tangible tools for dealing with the conflict they face in everyday situations. While conflict may be different for these students than for student activists of the Civil Rights era, the exact same solutions can be applied. Past New Alternative participants regularly give this training high marks and many ask for more training because they are able to apply what they learn right away in their own lives. This provides an effective platform for team building and diversity training as well.
Educational Activities
While these educational components are optional, we strongly recommend that our participants take advantage of all that the Atlanta area has to offer in regards to human rights and refugee resettlement education. Groups interested in educational components will be responsible for paying the attraction directly. Here are several educational recommendations for your group:
Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum: $6 with student ID
National Center for Civil and Human Rights: $14 with student ID
Evening Activities and Reflection Sessions
We also offer evening activities such as speaker panels, presentations, videos/movie nights, interaction with New Expression in Clarkston, and reflection sessions with our staff and volunteer to help participants process the experience.
To apply for the New Alternative break site in Clarkston, GA, complete the online form.