Clemson Students Giving Back During Break

Two groups of Clemson University students will use their winter breaks to help others as they participate in community service trips to Atlanta and the Dominican Republic.

From Dec. 15 to 20, 12 Clemson students will travel to Atlanta to take part in community service projects through the Alternative Break Program. The organization will work with the Medici Project as part of its Expose Experience, which deals with urban issues, including poverty, homelessness and underprivileged youth.

The Medici Project began the program 14 years ago to educate and expose individuals to the realities of poverty for Atlanta’s inner-city youth and the actions taken to fight it. The Medici Project provides the opportunity for individuals to serve and be educated on the issues related to urban poverty.

“Our group of students didn't even think twice about giving up their winter break to serve on this trip,” said senior Amy Smedberg, president of the Alternative Break Program. “Being able to give back to the Atlanta community will be extremely meaningful during the holiday season.” 

Also during winter break, 15 fraternity and sorority members will travel to the Dominican Republic to build a home in the Las Charcas community as part of the 2012 Cambiando Vidas Dominican Republic Service Trip.

The group will help build a safe, affordable, concrete-block home that ensures safety from hurricanes. In addition to providing capital and labor, the students will work closely with the recipient families and community volunteers to build the homes. Students will have the opportunity to interact with and build with local families and community members, as well as experience the Dominican culture.

“This trip is will indeed be one of the most unique and inspirational trips that the students will participate in and will offer a life changing experience for everyone involved,” said Christina Wellhouser, fraternity and sorority adviser in Clemson's Gantt Center for Student Life.

Besides helping those in need, the students also will learn about social and political issues facing the Dominican Republic as well as build relationships with one another, she said.