24 Penn State Behrend students and four faculty and staff members began their journey to San Francisco on March 4, when they spent their Spring Break serving the Bay Area through eco-restoration and human service projects. The group worked with Community Collaborations International (CCI) to plan the trip. CCI is an organization that manages groups of volunteers, serving as “a lead organization supporting the expansion and implementation of Alternative Break Programs throughout the United States.”

 

Penn State Behrend’s team started their trip with a “culture day.” Before they started work on Monday, Sunday was spent exploring the beautiful city and attractions such as Alcatraz, The Golden Gate Bridge, and Chinatown. By the end of the day, the group was ready to get to work. In regards to who worked where, the group separated into four different vans. Each van had a different work schedule each day. Each workday started at 7 a.m. with breakfast. Shortly after, the vans left to go to work. The group packed their lunch in the morning and ate when they were done working. After this, they would move on to the next job and come home for dinner around 6 p.m. There was also a nightly group reflection at approximately 9:30 p.m., with free time given beforehand. In regards to having a changing schedule, Kristy DiLoreto, a Sophomore and first time ASB participant, commented, “at the end of every day, it was a different feeling, but it was still the same feeling of doing something and making an impact.”

 

On Monday, all four vans travelled to Sausal Creek. There it is an ongoing mission for volunteers to restore, maintain, and protect the watershed, native plants, and animals. All four groups spent the entire day weeding, pulling vines, managing invasive species, replanting seedlings, and much more. On Tuesday, two vans travelled to Planting Justice, an organic produce and plant nursery that hires those looking to get back on their feet after leaving prison, while the other two vans went to Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area to help get rid of invasive species.

 

On Wednesday, the other vans went to Planting Justice while the two vans who went the day prior volunteered with the food bank at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. On Thursday, the two vans that had not gone to Quarry Lakes Regional Recreation Area headed there for the day while the other two vans went to the St. Mary’s Community Center where they talked and played games with the older homeless community and before heading to two different Boys and Girls Clubs to spend time with younger kids.

 

“I know its cliche to say, but it exceeded what I thought it would be,” said Pat Kress, a senior and a first time ASB member. “The whole week was eye opening and I was surprised at how personal the service projects were.”

 

The week of service was a very busy, impactful, and inspiring week for all involved. Lee Shadeck, Personal Counselor at Penn State Behrend and frequent volunteer, reflected on his ASB experience in San Francisco saying, “that was one of the more meaningful weeks in all of my existence,” giving credit and thanks to the group he shared the week with. Miles Turner, a sophomore and first time ASB participant, spoke specifically on his experience at St. Mary’s Community Center.

Not only did the group help to serve the community, but they helped one another tremendously. Over the week, they all had a positive influence on each other and consistently built one another up. The trip coordinator from CCI commented many times on the group’s ability to work together, proving that as a community, we are stronger together.