MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Freed
561-297-3022, lfreed@fau.edu

FAU Students Volunteer in New Orleans During Spring Break

            BOCA RATON, FL (March 2, 2007) – Students from the Florida Atlantic University Volunteer Center, Students Advocating Volunteer Involvement (SAVI) and the FAU Catholic Newman Club will participate in an “Alternative Spring Break,” helping low and moderate-income families in New Orleans.

            Beginning Friday, March 2 through March 9, 29 students, one FAU alumnus and five advisers from FAU’s campuses will travel to New Orleans to assist theAssociation of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), the nation’s largest community organization dedicated to working together for social justice and stronger communities. 

            “We believe this ‘Alternative Spring Break’ will provide us with an immersion experience that will widen students’ perspectives, enhance their life skills and encourage further civic responsibility,” said Monica Jara, assistant director of the FAU Volunteer Center.

            Some of the service activities FAU students will be involved in include feeding the homeless, volunteering as tutors with the Bywater Church after-school program and gutting homes in the lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans. Assisting in this project will be local guest speakers who continue to experience the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.  In addition, there will be daily reflections regarding students’ experiences.

The “Alternative Spring Break” is sponsored by FAU Student Government Association, Office of the President, Division of Student Affairs and the Diocese of Palm Beach County.

For more information, call Monica Jara at 561-297-3607 or e-mail mjara1@fau.edu.

-FAU-