New Alternative, a program of Something New, is run 100% by volunteers -- and we’re not your normal non-profit crew. As you consider joining Something New for a service-learning experience in Clarkston, there are a few things you should know about us and our program before you come.
Different.
We are a unique host site and believe in the importance of blending strong direct service and education for a life-changing week of learning.
Intense.
We believe there is great value in immersion and strive to host trips that immerse our breakers into the heart of our organization, our advocacy work, and the community of Clarkston, GA. We’re all about intense -- from start to finish.
Idealists.
We believe everyone can make an impact on the world, and we believe your visit to Clarkston will impact the community, our organization, and will also leave a lasting impact on you. You CAN make a difference in this world, and it is needed. Our goal is that you will experience a week of alternative living that will catapult you into a lifetime of purpose and will motivate you to reach your own potential and dreams.
Outside Agitators.
When our organization first started in Selma, AL, we were considered outside agitators by some, and have been treated as such. When we began to speak out about segregated institutions like the schools, country club, churches, etc., we experienced major backlash, smear campaigns, and death threats on the Internet. We believe what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said, and have lived by it: “Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” Organizations volunteering with us should not be surprised to find slanderous information about us on the Internet. The hatred and mindsets present in the 60s have not changed, but the tactics of fear and intimation have new outlets. Rather than wearing hoods and burning crosses, racists now hide behind anonymous blogs and internet forms to try stop integration. The same mindsets and resistance to change that can be found in Selma are also challenges facing the community of Clarkston.
Believers.
While we are not a faith-based organization, the movement behind our programs did start out of a church of young people who were passionate about serving others. Over the past 10 years, the organization has evolved into a human rights and youth development organization that believes in equality for all. We are passionate about tolerance, acceptance and inclusion. Our programs embrace and encourage volunteers from diverse backgrounds, and we proudly stand behind human rights for all.
WHO WE’RE NOT
Quiet. We believe in the power of every voice, and collectively our organization is a voice for those not heard. We encourage our alternative breakers to exercise their voices while in Clarkston through reflection and debriefing activities.Traditional. We believe in thinking outside of the box, in coloring outside of the lines, and not following the status quo. While we understand this is not for everyone, we’ve seen great benefit in taking the road less traveled to make change in our community.We hope to meet you on an alternative break experience! We have been honored to join many participants on their transformative journeys through Clarkston and into a lifetime of service and sacrifice. We love being a part of your journey.