By Autumn Coleman
Staying true to Howard Universityâs motto of truth and service, students participating in this yearâs Alternative Spring Break travelled to different states across the country to offer their Howard University shine to 20 different communities in need.
With a record number of over 2,100 students committed to service, participants travelled to additional cities such as Cleveland, New Orleans, and Flint, Mich. under a range of initiatives tailored to the communities they serve.
In the South Side of Chicago, a group of 100 students traded the traditional spring break of relaxation and free time for the opportunity to travel at no personal cost, under the initiative of restorative justice and youth empowerment.
âFor [our youth], seeing people that look like them that are smart and successful, they can say âI can do that too,ââ said Deborah Boatwright, the Chicago ASB trip advisor for the last 15 years and the operations manager for the Office of the Chapel.
âI see us as a way out for these kids. When I see these kids, I see them embracing things that they never even thought that they could do because of how Howard students have given their time to come up here to say, âYou too can be great.ââ