Photos courtesy of Katrina VidalWhat many people don’t realize is the power they have to change a person’s life.’ The University of Tampa’s P.E.A.C.E organization is trying to spread the word.
Since Katrina Vidal, the head coordinator of the alternative spring break trips and UT senior, began the program in 2007, the service trips expanded to international locations. This year the P.E.A.C.E organization was supposed to work in Puebla, Mexico to do environmental work until plans had to be changed.
‘Alternative breaks staff believed that for the best interest of the students participating, that we should cancel the trip to Mexico. We did however still want to have an International Alternative Break, but since we decided not to go to Mexico in mid-March, we were really late in the game in terms of being approved by International Programs and the school to go abroad,’ Vidal said.
There was one condition if they still wanted to go abroad: they must go somewhere they had gone before.
This year the international service trip will take place in Monte Cristi, Dominican Republic with Orphanage Outreach from May 10-16.
‘We will be working with Orphanage Outreach to teach English in local schools, complete restoration projects in the area and at the local orphanage to benefit children, and coordinate activities with children at the orphanage,’ Vidal said.
She guided Christina Smith and Hannah Duprey, the current spring break coordinators, in planning this year’s trip, but Vidal will not be attending.
Vidal began working for the P.E.A.C.E office in 2006, the following school year there was one alternative spring break trip in March. That year she added the weekend service trip to Give Kids the World and eventually added more options to the spring break trips as well as the program in May.
After graduation, Vidal will be returning home to Massachusetts to take care of her grandmother and hopefully serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA in the Boston area.
‘Afterward, I want to go to grad school for social work, non-profit management or special education,’ she said.
Hannah Duprey will be replacing Vidal as head coordinator of the P.E.A.C.E alternative spring break trips, and the staff will increase from two alternatives to three. Vidal is looking forward to seeing the progression of this program.
‘In the 2008-2009 school year, Hannah, Christina and I were able to offer students six different alternative break options,’ she said.
Next year, eight alternative break trips will be offered.
‘We are really excited,’ Vidal said.
If anyone is interested in being involved in next year’s trips, e-mail alternativebreaks@ut.edu to be added to their list for information regarding next year. Prospective volunteers must apply for each trip.’ Between eight and 12 students are selected for each trip. Next year the P.E.A.C.E organization is planning three weekend trips in February, October and April; a winter alternative break trip; two alternative spring break trips; an international trip possibly to Peru and a domestic trip sometime next May, prices depend on location.