Welcome to Brock Cares Alternative Reading Week

This initiative gives students the opportunity to get involved in a hands-on service learning projects during the Reading Break in February.  There are a variety of projects offered that allow you to participate locally or do some travelling over the break to serve in communities a distance away! 

Each experience is designed to offer you the opportunity to meet new people, build relationships, and stretch yourself in new directions with the service component of the week!  This will happen both with fellow teammates as well as with the organizations we partner with, and local people in the community you are serving in.  You will also have the opportunity to experience the culture of the area, delve into the social issues at hand, and learn from one another and community members. 

It is our hope that you return with a sparked interest in being an active citizen and a greater understanding of the social issues that impact communities.  We also hope you identify how this experience ties into your academics here at Brock, or plays into your future plans while meeting some great new friends along the way!

The 2013 Alternative Reading Week program took place Saturday, February 16th to Sunday, February 24 and involved the following opportunities:

• Niagara: Those remaining in the local area during Reading Week got involved by volunteering at organizations across the Niagara Region.
• South Carolina & El Salvador: Students helped to build a house with Habitat for Humanity
• Dominican Republic: Students helped teach English and assist in the community with Outreach 360

Here is a small snapshot of what past Brock student have to say about their experience:

It's amazing what a small contribution can do to help a lot of people in a big way."    

- JC Bitonti, St. Catharines participant 2011

"The Alternative Spring Break trip to Mississippi couldn't have been a better reading week experience. I've done the resort vacations and now, after volunteering with Brock down south, I don't think I would ever go back to a resort! You just get SO much more out of a trip like this, the people you are with are amazing, you get to work with locals and truly make a difference in a community that needs it."   

- Mississippi participant 2011

"I really enjoyed my trip to the Dominican.As a first year student living in residence I was unsure of how I would impact my residence community. I was very involved at my high school and wanted that to continue as I moved into University. Going to the Dominican gave me the chance to take that leadership role and run with it. Not only did I get to experience visiting a beautiful country but the trip also got a chance to "dip my feet" into the profession that I will be doing for the rest of my life. I learned that you must take every moment and live it to the fullest. Going to the DR changed not only who I am, but also how I look at my community and my surroundings. I know that I will remember my trip forever"  

- Kaitlyn O'Hara, 1st year student and Dominincan participant 2011

 Check back here next year for information on Alternative Reading Week 2014!