Alternative Break Service Experiences
If you’re looking to make a difference in the lives of others, The Mercy Center hosts Alternative Break missions that bring GMercyU students, faculty, and staff together for service projects around the country and the world.
You’ll perform worthwhile community service while learning about cultural and social issues facing your host community. It's an experience you'll never forget, and one that you'll want to repeat again and again throughout your time here.
Alternative Break Service Experiences, GMercyU-Style
Students, faculty, and staff who've participated in these experiences, which take place during school breaks, have nothing but positive feedback to share. Interested in participating? ASB participants have a desire to:
- Be of service to others
- Learn more about economic poverty, diversity, social justice, and the environment
- Live simply
- Grow in your spirituality
- Reflect on your experiences, individually and as a community
- Strengthen your leadership qualities and commitment to the future
2025 Application Details
- Return applications via e-mail to MercyCenterStaff@gmercyu.edu or bring a printed copy to the mailbox outside the Mercy Center in Mercy Hall 9.
- Alternative Spring Break experience applications are due Friday, January 24.
- Alternative Summer Break experience applications are due Friday, February 7.
- Applicants will be contacted to set up a personal interview.
- All will receive a GMercyU email regarding their selection status a week following the application deadline.
Alternative Break 2025 Trips
Spring Break: March 9-15, 2025 in McAllen, TX (on the US/Mexico border)
Immigration, Global Poverty, Advocacy
This team will learn more about the immigration crisis at the US southern border. Service will take place in a respite center, working with persons and families immediately after their arrival in the US. Students will also go to ARISE, a Mercy-sponsored organization that supports and empowers the local immigrant community to build better lives for themselves. Team members will tour a section of the border wall, and learn about more about the experience of immigration and life at the border.
Spring Break: March 8-15, 2025 in the Gulf Coast, Florida (specific community TBD)
Domestic Hurricane Relief, Poverty, Care of the Earth
We are initiating a partnership with Community Collaborations International (CCI) to assist a community recovering from one of the recent hurricanes. CCI manages all of the on-ground logistics for the week. Our team will join with other groups from across the country to serve those affected by the storms. We will prepare for our service and join in reflection during and afterwards; we will consider how relief work intersects with the Critical Concerns and Corporal Works of Mercy.
Summer Break: June 1-6, 2024 in Benson, VT
Care of the Earth, Spirituality, Advocacy
This team will be living, learning and serving Mercy Eco-Spirituality Center. This is a working farm and retreat center whose mission is to inspire reverence for Earth and to work towards sustainability of life by acting in harmony with all creation. Mercy Farm focuses on connecting people with nature and healing the Earth through community outreach, farming, gardening and more. While on the Farm, team members will observe the natural world surrounding them, ponder their own spirituality, learn about human’s connection to and impact on the earth, and consider how they may be better advocates for the world. Service to Mercy Farm will include cleaning, planting, tending the animals, and assisting with seasonal projects. Students might also serve a local partner organization, according to the need. As the week concludes, the site team will consider how they can continue to advocate for the Earth at GMercyU and/or their home communities
For more information, contact Betsy Stone Plummer at plummer.b@gmercyu.edu or 215-641-5592.
Did you know? Our students raise all the money for their Alternative Breaks. If you'd like to help, you can make a donation at gmercyu.edu/alternativebreak. Thanks for your support!