Trip Leaders Blog about Planning Trips!

Ya’know where I’d rather be….

marylandhillel — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 15:00:02 +0000

So, I’m sitting here at the computer, staring out the window, and let me tell you, today is gross. It’s rainy, it’s nasty. Here….not in Guatemala. Today in Guatemala there are highs of 79 degrees… juuuust letting you know!

Seriously, I am far too excited for this trip, and you should be too!! So… go apply… NOW. I’ll bake you brownies.

–Sherri

Obama’s visiting New Orleans today!

marylandhillel — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:14:03 +0000

Although Obama visited post-Katrina New Orleans five times before taking office, he hasn’t been back since then… Until today! He’ll be stopping by the Lower Ninth ward for a few hours to tour a school — the only school that has reopened in the neighborhood out of six, all of which were destroyed by Katrina. The White House has already spent over $1 billion on projects to help rebuild New Orleans, but hopefully the trip will help show Obama what else New Orleans needs and inspire him to take more actions in that direction.

For more info, check out http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8308427.stm and http://cbs11tv.com/national/obama.visits.orelans.2.1249723.html

Registerrrrrrr!

Happy almost Friday,

Hannah

New Orleans: Why is it so important?

marylandhillel — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:31:35 +0000

Hey everybody, it’s Hannah again. I hate to be a buzzkill, but check out this graph:

	Poverty
	Median household income	Percent of population in poverty	Percent of population living at less than 1/2 poverty line	Percent of population living at more than 2x poverty line	Percent of children in poverty	Percent of Adults 65+ in poverty
United States	$41,994	12%	6%	70%	17%	10%
Louisiana	$32,566	20%	9%	60%	27%	17%
New Orleans	$27,133	28%	15%	50%	41%	19%
Lower Ninth Ward	$19,918	36%	16%	34%	48%	31%
Source: U.S. Census	SF3 P53	SF3 P87	SF3 P88	SF3 P88	SF3 P87	SF3 P87

Yeah… That’s not good. I know that we’ll only be going to New Orleans for a week, but during that week, we’ll be doing good works in a place that could really, really use them. And it’s not as if New Orleans is being overwhelmed with help, either:

Public Assistance
	Percent of households receiving cash assist.	Percent of households in poverty that do not receive cash assist.
United States	3%	87%
New Orleans	3%	90%
Louisiana	5%	87%
Lower Ninth Ward	8%	85%
Source: U.S. Census	SF3 HCT25	SF3 HCT25

Having been on two Alternative Breaks already (Uruguay and South Dakota), I can confidently say that we are going to have an amazing time. We’ll walk away, though, with bittersweet feelings — psyched that we did what little we could do to make a difference, and excited to do something like it again, but melancholy about the overall situation… It’s hard, but it’s more than worth it. I can’t wait to get my hands dirty and make a difference with you all!

If you’re interested in learning more about the financial situation in New Orleans, I got the charts above from this website:

http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2006/0306wagneredwards.html

Guatemalaaaaaa!!!

marylandhillel — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:01:54 +0000

That’s right, it’s official, ASB Central America is heading to San Antonio, Guatemala! Woot woot!

I’m Sherri, and Natan and I will be leading this amazing trip along side the lovely Marissa Neuman, so get excited! Guided by two AJWS leaders, our group will work with the NGO Opción to help construct a classroom. We’ll have plenty of opportunities to play with little Guatemalan children and really get to know the locals.

This trip is going to be awesome (duh, Natan and I are leading it, we’re kind of a big deal) and I can’t wait to get the ball rolling, so go to www.marylandhillel.org/alternativebreaks to apply!

If you have any questions feel free to email us at alternativebreaks@marylandhillel.org but seriously I can already answer your questions riiiiight here, riiiiiiight now: Yes. Twelve. West. Sunday. We’ll fundraise. Blue. Tinfoil. Long walks on the beach.

Break a sweat and give back in New Orleans!

marylandhillel — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:10:15 +0000

Hey, it’s Hannah! I’ll be leading the New Orleans trip with Stephanie. So I know you’re probably wondering… What exactly are we going to be doing there?

Well, first of all, they might have us helping to rebuild homes ruined by Katrina, through mold remediation, painting, and “intense physical labor”. That last part was a direct quote from our friends in NOLA — maybe we should start hitting the gym together once we’ve got the group figured out… Hmm…

Unlike past trips, however, we won’t just be working on houses — we could be doing wetland restoration, trail work, and tree planting (see picture)!

I’m psyched. Don’t forget to register on Monday!

I, personally, will be channeling the Lorax as we plant trees and help restore the NOLA wetlands. UNLESS!

Come spend your Spring Break in Miami!

marylandhillel — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:25:30 +0000

Hey everyone!

Get excited…registration opens next week for Alternative spring breaks! Me (Sarah Mogelson) and Jason Felder will be planning the Miami trip, which is going to be amazing. We will be traveling through a program called “City year” which focuses on hands on service, and team-building. The volunteering options range from tutoring children, to helping prepare meals, to building and painting houses. Although the majority of our time will be spent volunteering, you will have an amazing opportunity to make life-long friendships with students from University of Maryland, University of Indiana, GW, and many more. Get ready for an amazing spring break in Miami! Sign up quickly before spots fill up!

Sorry, but I needed to do this…

Spend your break in BRAZIL!!!!

marylandhillel — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:33:03 +0000

Hi all!

Next week opens up registration for Alternative Spring Break programs and YOU KNOW you want to spend your spring break in the Brazil where we will get to volunteer with several projects, see the sights, and have a ton of fun. Jon Kalish and I are leading the trip and we are both so extremely excited and promise you will have the time of your life. So, if you are looking for a fun and meaningful spring break then you should sign up on October 5th! Dont miss out!

Questions?… e-mail us at alternativebreaks@marylandhillel.org

Get Ready, Get Set, Register…OCTOBER 5th!!

marylandhillel — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:49:23 +0000

Hey guys I’m Stephanie Cantor and I’m leading the NOLA ASB trip with Hannah Spiro! We are getting so excited for this amazing opportunity. Registation opens October 5th…

GET PUMPED!!!!!!!

: Alex Seiden (’09) and Assron Shapiro (’11) work together to repair a home damaged by Katrina

DISCOUNT on DOMINICAN REPUBLIC!

marylandhillel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:37:35 +0000

THIS JUST IN!

Sign up for the Dominican Republic by SEPT 23rd and get $50 OFF your trip (This price includes the discount from the coupon you may have receieved!)

Price by Sept 23rd: $575.00
Price after Sept 23rd: $625.00

Hope you can join us!

WINTER Registration opens Tues, Sept 8th!!

marylandhillel — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:31:42 +0000

Shira Alevy working in a nursery on ASB Brazil.

Hi Everyone!

WINTER registration opens up TUESDAY, September 8th!!!!!!!!

We are super excited to be headed to ATLANTA to immerse ourselves in urban culture by working with at-risk youth, in housing community work projects, in the Atlanta public schools and SO much more!

We are also super excited to be headed to the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC to work at Orphanage setting up programs for youth and teaching English. You can learn more about the Orphanage at www.orphanage-outreach.org

Questions? As always e-mail us at alternativebreaks@marylandhillel.org

From your friendly Alternative Break Fellows!!