Summary of TripOur students will help rebuild a family's home. This may include hanging insulation or drywall, mudding/spackling, sanding, texturing, priming, painting, laying floors, and/or hanging trim, doors, and baseboards. Experienced AmeriCorps site supervisors will train and equip our students, keeping their safety a top priority.
Our students will also be able to experience a day in our country’s largest food bank, Houston Food Bank. Half of the day will be spent in the Portwall Warehouse and the other half in the Keegan Kitchen. Volunteer projects in the Portwall Warehouse vary based on need and may include inspecting/sorting food, repacking dry food into family-sized bags, stocking/cleaning the Emergency Food Pantry and more! Keegan Kitchen volunteers assist with meal prep and packaging of hot meals for daily distribution to community locations where children gather after school.
ImpactAfter a disaster, homeowners need recovery to be as prompt and predictable as possible in order to limit the amount of time they’re made to suffer the effects of displacement. SBP rebuilds for low-to-moderate income homeowners, placing a special focus on families with small children, the elderly, disabled persons, war veterans and the under-and uninsured.
SBP's proven-effective rebuilding model is based on the Toyota Production System (TPS) and is enhanced by AmeriCorps members and volunteer labor which enable SBP to rebuild disaster impacted homes in an average of 61 days, at 40% the cost of market rate contractors.
The Houston Food Bank positively impacts the lives of many southeast Texans in their 18-county service area every day. During the 2017 – 2018 fiscal year, they lead the fight against hunger by serving 800,000 individuals. Because people often have to make difficult choices between feeding themselves and their families and paying for other necessities, food assistance can lift a big weight from their shoulders. In the first two months following Harvey’s landfall, 3x the normal amount of food and supplies were distributed.
Houston is a city bursting with Culture, Energy, and Dynamic Attractions. While in Houston, students will be immersed into cultural experiences aimed at enhancing their perspectives on issues plaguing our Texas communities but also avenues of cultural expression. Students will have the opportunity to learn about disaster response and relief, economic disparity, as well as the cultural, political, economic and personal dimensions of art.
The total trip cost is $125 which includes lodging, transportation, food, and some activities while in Houston.
The deadline to apply is October 19th, 2018 at 1 PM
If you have any questions or concerns please contact Brandon Mandigo in UC 218, 361-825-2707 or email Brandon.mandigo@tamucc.edu.
TBA
Alternative Spring Break provides an opportunity for students to make the most of their spring break by venturing across state borders and becoming immersed in a national social issue for six days while they volunteer their time for an important cause.