Wednesday, March 3, 1999
The University Daily Kansan
Section B·Page 3
Students to spend break helping
Volunteer program entices workers to build houses
By Lisa Stevens John Special to The Kansan
For one group of KU students heading to the mountains during spring break, it's not just the lure of skiing that's pulling them westward — it's the lure of volunteering.
Brian Tongier, Lawrence junior,
and Rachel Seidle, Tulsa sophomore,
are two of approximately 10
students who plan to pack their
sleeping bags and spend their
spring break in the Denver suburb
of Lakewood building houses for
Habitat for Humanity.
Tongier and Seidle are accustomed to spending their spring breaks wielding hammers during the day and camping in church basements at night.
"I've been involved in this type of thing for five years, since I was a junior in high school," Tongier said. Seidle, a biology major and a member of the KU Women's Rugby team, finds time to do volunteer work not only on spring break, but also in
Lawrence during the semester. Two mornings a week, she helps serve hot breakfast to the homeless at the Jubilee Cafe, Trinity Episcopal Church.
Like Tongjie, Seidle began doing volunteer work when young.
"I started doing this in high school," she said. "I went with church groups to Mexico, Texas and Arizona."
Seidle said projects she has worked on included constructing houses and even fences.
It is definitely a learn-on-the-job type of work for those who are unfamiliar with carpentry, Tongier said.
"When I first showed up, I had no clue as to what I was doing," he said. "I have a rough idea now — I'm better, but I still wouldn't classify myself as skilled."
He has plenty of company. Tongier estimated that during this spring break, approximately 5,000 students will be working on Habitat for Humanity projects across the United States.
"Most of the projects are concentrated in the South because that's where people want to go for spring break," Tongler said. "Also, the mission of Habitat is to eliminate poverty housing, and within the United States, a lot of poverty housing is in the South."
No matter where they're built, the houses are much the same,Tongler said.
"We usually build a one-level structure, and there are about ten general floor plans that they tend to follow at every site."
Volunteers usually do the work that does not require union or highly skilled labor, he said.
What Tongier likes about Habitat for Humanity is that the future homeowners are involved in the construction of the homes.
"It's not a handout program," he said. "The people who are receiving the home help build it, and they actually wind up buying it. Because so much of the labor and the materials are donated, a house valued at $70,000 can be purchased for $40,000."
Tongier said one of the best things about working in Colorado last year during spring break was that he became friends with the woman who bought the house they were building.
"We've kept in touch and I hope to see her again this year," he said.
The Denver trip is one of five alternative spring breaks sponsored or co-sponsored by Ecumenical Christian Ministries this year. Thad Holcombe, ECM pastor, said that during most years about 50 University
of Kansas students participate in these programs.
"They come back changed because they've been in a different setting, in a different culture, and they've learned new skills." Holcombe said. "They come back with a different perspective on who they are."
Tongier agreed. Without a doubt, Tongier said he found that kind of spring break to be worth his while.
"I've never been much into the traditional spring break scene, it's never appealed to me," he said. "This kind of spring break gives people an opportunity to participate in community service and lets them have some of the traditional spring break experiences as well."
By traditional, Tongier said this means he plans to spend a little time on the Colorado slopes while out there.
He chuckled and said, "I've never skied before, so this should be interesting."
Seidle, whose parents recently moved to Colorado, said she hoped to be able to see them during spring break.
She also said that she was looking forward to getting out in the snow. But she's taking a different tactic. "Skiing is so expensive," she said. "I think I'll go snowshoeing instead."
— Edited by Keith Burner
Class plans to send spring breakers to cities for service-oriented alternative
By Kursten Phelps Special to Kansan
As spring break approaches, many students are packing their swimsuits, sunscreen and sunglasses and are searching for sunny skies and warm beaches.
But more than 100 KU students are preparing for a different kind of vacation experience: Alternative Spring Break
ASB is a service-oriented program that was established at KU in 1994. E.J. Reedy, co-executive director and Topeka sophomore, said the program was educational even though it took place during a school break.
"ASB is really about allowing students to have a meaningful experience on spring break and to learn something they can hopefully apply at KU and in their lives." Reedy said. "Many of us are so busy with our normal lives, it's difficult to do community service. So spring break is a nice time for students to give a lot to a community."
Reedy said that the program had expanded during the last few years.
"The idea of doing community service over spring break is a more recent phenomenon around college campuses," said Reedy. "We have a strong program here. In fact, we've doubled in size — 110 participants — from last year alone."
Participants will travel to one of 11 sites around the United States and work with certain agencies and programs for the week. The sites are divided into four main topical areas: hunger and homelessness, education, multiculturalism and environmentalism.
Students can work in Harlem, N.Y.; Washington; Chicago; Detroit; Philadelphia; South Carolina; Tahlequa, Okla.; El Paso, Texas; Arizona; Kentucky or Kirtland, Ohio.
Reedy first participated in ASB last year. "I think I was feeling a bit overwhelmed at KU — I was trying to get involved, but I felt like I didn't have time to do community service," Reedy said. "I thought ASB was a great way to do some service and meet a lot of cool and diverse people."
Participants pay $155, and site leaders pay $80, which covers about half of the program expenses. Donations finance the remainder of ASB's budget.
Ameshia Tubbs, Lawrence junior, said she wanted the challenge of being a site leader in Detroit.
"I did ASB '97, and it's such a great experience. I got so much out of the interaction with everyone — my group members and the people I worked with at the site," Tubbs said. "This year, I wanted that extra challenge of being responsible for the well-being of 10 other people as a site leader."
Throughout the spring semester, ASB participants have been preparing for their trips by attending a required weekly class. Human Development and Family Life 606: Special Projects in the Community.
Sally Frost Mason, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, teaches the course. Students can take it for zero, one or two hours of credit.
Reedy said students learned about and discussed social issues, cultural sensitivity, conflict and other issues that pertained to their trips. He said the new information would make the experience the best it could possibly be.
"I think they're doing a really good job this year with the class," said Mark Bradshaw, Walnut junior.
Bradshaw is taking the course for one hour of credit.
"It's twice as big as it was last year, and they're doing a phenomenal job of coping with that. We've had some really good discussions," he said.
Anna Williams, Powell, Wyo., freshman, said she was looking forward to her first ASB trip to Kirtland, Ohio.
"It will be cool to get to see that part of the country and to see their way of life on the reservation compared to life in Kansas," he said.
"I'm excited because I'll be doing something worthwhile, and since it's an environmental site. We'll be working outdoors in parks, cleaning, rebuilding and things like that — which is something I like to do," said Williams.
Bradshaw, who is traveling to Arizona to volunteer at the Navajo Nation, said he was excited for his trip for several reasons.
"It will also be good because even though it is a multicultural site, it involves a lot of environmental aspects," he said. "I will be able to see how Native Americans relate to
Students in the Alternative Spring Break program are briefed about their trips. The program will send students around the country for service work this month during the break. Photo by Aaron Lindberg/KANSAN
their environment, which is something I'm interested it."
Reedy said that by performing service work, participants gained personal fulfillment.
"People always say that by doing things like this, you're giving back to the community," he said. "But I think, at the same time, you're taking away a lot of beneficial things about yourself — seeing other parts of the country and being part of a team."
Tubbs said, "It's a life-changing experience. I'd highly recommend it, especially to someone who has never done community service, someone who's never come out of their comfort zone or someone who's never seen poor people.
"It's eye-opening. When you're there, you're vulnerable, you're an outsider and you really see what life can be like. There's no way I'd miss it."
- Edited by Darrin Peschka
The Etc. Shop 928 Mass.Downtown
1999-2000 Kansas Health Foundation Undergraduate Fellowship in Health Promotion and Community Development
$1,000 tuition stipend ($500 each semester)
Enrollment in a 2-semechanic practicum
Application Deadline: April 2, 1999
Information & application available from: KU Work Group, 4082 Dole Center. University of Kansas (785) 864-0533 http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/wg/
offer
expires
3/31/99
LIMIT - FOUR PIECES PER PERSON (PIG)
here and now
A renowned theater troupe from California Live comedy and drama show
Come laugh come cry come experience live performances and stories of Asian Americans.
"Everyone comes from an unique experience and all people have stories to share." John Miyasaki (founder)
Wednesday March 3 at 7pm
Spencer Art Museum Auditorium
FREE ADMISSION!
Sponsored by Asian American Student Union Co-sponsors: Student Senate Multicultural Resource Center Vice Chancellor's Office The Third Planet
Student Senate
At Arizona Trading Co. we buy, sell,and trade quality men's and women's clothing every day. We give you 40% of our selling price in cash or 60% in store credit. Our inventory is constantly changing so stop by one of our three stores and see what we have for you.
Columbia M0.18 so. 9th St., 573-498-0420
Lawrence KS. 734 Massachusetts, 785-749-2377
Kansas City MO. 209 Waterfront Rd., 816-980-0200
841-PLAY
1029
Massachusetts
We Buy, Sell, Trade & Consign USED & New Sports Equipment
For donating your
In 2 weeks
lifesaving blood plasma
4 Sessions
-2 Weeks
*1 $ ^{1/2} $ hours each
Wish you had enough money to be like this guy on Spring Break?
$100
816 W. 24th St.
(Behind Laird Noller Ford)
749-5750
Hours:
Mon.-Fri. 9a.m.-6:30p.m.
Sat. 10a.m.-2p.m.