Alt-Break Trips Transform Students' Lives

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Students from Bryn Mawr College enjoy a traditional langar (dinner) with the Sikh community at the Upper Darby Gurdwara.

Since 2007, Interfaith Philadelphia has organized Alternative Break Trips for student leaders from colleges, universities, high schools, and youth groups. We were grateful that we have been able to return to in-person programs during the 2022-2023 season.

This Spring, we hosted trips for students from Bryn Mawr College, LaSalle University, and Penn State University.  During their time with us, they visited the congregations of more than two dozen distinct faith communities while engaging in service projects to tackle such important social issues as homelessness, food insecurity,  racism, and poverty. For many, this unique experience was not only educational but also transformative.   

Alternative Breaks provide youth the opportunity to engage with individuals and organizations from various worldviews. This includes visits to places of worship and meetings with people of Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, Quaker, and other faith traditions. They also take on community-based service projects aimed at addressing critical social issues. 

Students from Penn State University touring Arch St. Meeting House. Here they are viewing a map of all of the Quaker meeting houses across the US. 

“We hope that every student in our program will take the skills and knowledge learned during the week and apply it in their everyday lives,” said Elexus Freeman-Filmore, Interfaith Philadelphia Youth Programs Manager.

The students' interests spanned a diverse range of topics relevant to their lived experiences, from the involvement of Generation Z in congregations to the intersections between religious life, racial justice,  and other social issues. In addition, the groups themselves were diverse, with participants ranging from freshmen to graduate-level, studying areas as varied as meteorology and information science technology.

During their trip, they met with leaders of organizations from long-standing and new Interfaith Philadelphia partners. Their experiences included morning worship at Bethel AME Church of Ardmore (founded in 1787), mindful meditation practice at Won Buddhism of Philadelphia, and organizing clothing and accessories as volunteers at the Career Wardrobe in Lansdowne.  

Join us! Book an Alternative Break Trip for Fall/Winter of 2023 or Spring of 2024. Contact Elexus Freeman-Filmore, Youth Programs Manager at eff@interfaithphiladelphia.org

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