CSULB Alternative Spring Break

02/04/2016

Incredibly sad news. Daniel was an amazing young man, and I was lucky to have known him.

Daniel...a good son, nephew, and friend, with so much to give. He passed away on 02/02/2016 at the age of 23. I am helping his parents raise money for his funeral expenses...big or small. Daniel recently graduated from CSULB and loves outdoor activities and was an avid hiker. On February 2nd, he...

08/28/2015

People often ask me why CSULB Alternative Spring Break continues to go to New Orleans a decade after Katrina. Well, as this NY Times article shows, there's a lot of work to be done. Perhaps the best summary of why New Orleans matters and why we go back each spring break:
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/26/us/ten-years-after-katrina.html

The New Orleans of 2015 has been altered, and not just by nature. In some ways, it is booming as never before. In others, it is returning to pre-Katrina realities of poverty and violence, but with a new sense of dislocation for many, too.

08/18/2015

This article on Brad Pitt's Make it Right Foundation really gets interesting when you get to the "comments" section.

http://www.nola.com/katrina/index.ssf/2015/08/brad_pitt_feels_fantastic_abou.html

Seven years after the project began, Make It Right is an icon of inventive recovery. But getting to this point has been a complicated process for Pitt and his organization.

08/03/2015

A fascinating account of the steps taken to protect New Orleans...and what remains to be done.

The state’s master plan could avert a watery demise. But it would cost many billions.

04/11/2015

Thanks, President Conoley, for swinging a hammer in a righteous cause with us and for your gracious comments about the Alternative Spring Break Program! And thanks, too, to all of the amazing students and colleagues who have kept this remarkable educational experience going over the past decade. Can't wait for 2016!

The Beach is back in session after spring break and I welcome the renewed energy and activity as we head into the final weeks before commencement. I spent part of my break with Beach students, facu...

04/04/2015

CSULB Alternative Spring Break was recognized by the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity for our years of service. Brett and I are currently fighting over the framed certificate.

California State University, Long Beach students have been volunteering this week for their alternative spring break! CSULB has been coming out to volunteer since Katrina and we thank them so much for all of their service!

03/30/2015

So proud of everyone keeping this going strong!

LONG BEACH >> While most students see spring break as a time to party, or at the very least rest and relax, a group of students at Cal State Long Beach will embark on a humanitarian effort to help New Orleans residents rebuild their lives.

03/28/2015

After a long FB silence, it's time get back to regular posts on this page. Just a couple of days until we do it one more time--the 10th CSULB Alternative Spring Break Service Trip. Anyone want to see us off when we leave from the Pyramid on Sunday morning? The bus rolls out shortly after 5:00 a.m.

Look for frequent updates next week from 15 inspired students with iPads!

12/12/2014

The title of this article caught my attention: social change. If I had to sum up the CSULB Alt Spring Break Program, I'd say that's what we're all about. Check out this fascinating short article...

Lots of dedicated people and groups are trying to change the world. What do the most successful ones have in common?

12/11/2014

Congrats to Janna Jesson, CSULB Alt Spring Break 2014! Janna will be swinging a hammer for AmeriCorps in 2015, and her home base will be in Vicksburg, Mississippi, not too far from New Orleans.

12/09/2014

Dear CSULB Alt Spring Break Supporters~

Thank you for your generous support. We raised $7,000 in just over 30 days. Thank you for your financial contributions, and thank you for helping to spread the word about this life-changing program for CSULB students. Be sure to check back in a few weeks for an update on the website that will house the work that the students will create.

12/07/2014

We're coming up on ten years since Katrina inundated the city of New Orleans, and no, the city still isn't "fixed" yet. In the absence of a coherent and effective plan from any of the three levels of government--federal, state, city--the citizens of New Orleans are relying on a fourth tier of government to put the city back together: neighborhoods. Neighborhood by neighborhood, the city is reconstituting itself, and we've been there swinging a hammer in a righteous cause. From Broadmoor to the Ninth Ward, from New Orleans East to the 8th Ward, our motto is "better than before." We only have a few hours left in our crowdfunding campaign, so please make a contribution if you can. https://beachfunder.csulb.edu/project/5438505514bdf764766a652b?clid=XP0bTgIM8JPJVBhYHcOTEl&utm_campaign=page&utm_medium=social&utm_source=short_link

Help Cal State University Long Beach raise $10,000 for the project: Alternative Spring Break. Even $1 can make a difference!