The Nine Components of Quality Alternative Breaks

Strong Engagement

Meets a real, community-identified need. This is achieved through communication, humility, and authenticity.

Orientation

Before, during, and after the engagement experience, participants learn about the communities, organization(s), and projects with which they are working.

Education

Provides a framework of intersecting perspectives developed to help participants understand the root causes and effects of social issues. Connects participants’ personal experiences to the topic.

Training

Throughout the entire engagement experience, participants are provided with adequate training necessary to carry out tasks and activities related to the service project.

Reflection

Anytime participants engage in community work, they are strongly encouraged to reflect upon the experience—synthesizing the engagement experience, education, and community immersion components. Time is set aside for this to take place individually and as a group and should occur both organically and through structured activities.

Identity-Consciousness

Community engagement programs should illuminate why we perceive engagement is necessary in the first place, helping participants to identify the role of power and privilege in perpetuating injustices AND in their own lives and identities.

equity

Community engagement as a tool of liberation. It should aim to redistribute resources, power, and wealth. Engagement should also be sustainable and be thought about in the long-term rather than the immediate.

FULL IMMERSION

Values-informed practices that show the community you care about their well-being.

Reorientation

After the engagement experience, individuals transfer lessons learned by continuing education, service, advocacy, and/or philanthropy. Participants join or organize coalitions to take action around issues on campus, in their neighborhoods, within the local community, and more broadly.