(Left to right) Seton Hill students Joyous Marshall, Adaliris Quintana, Oceana Feliple-Sirinic, Camille Kuczynski, and Cole Kuczynski, on a public bus in Cincinnati. Photo taken by Kelia Lobos Hernandez.
Written by: Georgia Williams
Many of you may receive emails from Amanda DeWitt, urging you to attend one of Seton Hill’s famous Alternative Break trips, and many of you wonder what it would be like to take the path less traveled and attend one. Alternative break trips can be an enriching experience, but what exactly happens on one? Education about poverty and justice issues, fostering a sense of community, and a growing commitment to action are just some of the things you can expect.
Gabriela Torregrosa-Nazario, a freshman at Seton Hill, attended this year’s Alternative Spring Break trip to Cincinnati with chaperones Keila Lobos-Hernandez and Chad Sherman. The trip lasted from March 8th-15th, with a full itinerary of learning, service, and also, some downtime.
Participants of the alternative break trip arrived at the Ozanam Center, a learning center that focuses on educating students on people in the area who struggle with poverty, fostering a sense of community by helping the unfortunate through service and the practices of Catholic Social Teaching.
Torregrosa-Nazario recalls presentations given about the area, its economy, and its historical background. This information solidified why service was vital to the community, opening up =a connection between the place the students were and the impact it would have on the people living there. Attendees also took a walk in the neighborhood, which helped them acclimate and connect further.
The residents of Cincinnati are impacted in a variety of ways by negative economic factors, all of which cause food insecurity. Students volunteered in the food bank and pantry areas, sorting good food from bad. They also participated in challenges such as having to shop for a family of five with only $13.50 to reflect the reality of some people living in the area and build empathy and a sense of commitment to action.
The attendees experienced downtown Cincinnati and had free time to rest in the evenings. Students also attended the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, a museum dedicated to the history of the Underground Railroad. Through this excursion, they were able to grasp the deep historical roots of Cincinnati, which they wouldn’t have otherwise been exposed to.
Reflection is an essential part of growing as a person, and there was no shortage of group reflections on this trip. During morning meals, as well as in the evening, participants shared how they were feeling, what they were learning, and made sure to stay connected to their commitment to the common good. There were also presentations in the evening, making this trip not only service-oriented but also educational.
Torregrosa-Nazario notes that this experience was extremely fulfilling, allowing her to grow as a person and become aware of the struggles that we so often ignore in society.