In March, Bright Future Foundation hosted a group of 6 Howard University students for their Alternative Spring Break.
Located in historic Washington D.C., Howard ranks among the highest producers of the nation’s Black professionals in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, nursing, architecture, religion, law, music, social work and education. The University has long held a commitment to the study of disadvantaged persons in American society and throughout the world. The goal is the elimination of inequities related to race, color, social, economic and political circumstances. As the only truly comprehensive predominantly Black university, Howard is one of the major engineers of change in our society. Distinguished alumni of Howard University include the Vice President of the United States, 11 members of United States Congress, a Supreme Court Justice, executives of Fortune 500 companies, Academy Award winning actors and Nobel laureates.
Since 1994, Howard University Alternative Spring Break has offered service-learning opportunities in marginalized communities around the nation and the world. Howard University Alternative Spring Break is committed to serving communities in need and involving students in meaningful service projects to develop the next generation of servant leaders. Bright Future Foundation is proud and honored to have been selected as one of the host sites for Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break.
For 3 days, students and staff collaborated, brainstormed and produced high quality marketing content for Bright Future Foundation’s Buddy Mentors program social media sites. Rachel Halzel, Youth Violence Prevention Manager, said, “I have really enjoyed working with the Howard students over the past few days. Their ideas and fresh approaches have inspired me to really think about the messages we are sending through our social media, and I am excited to roll out all of the new content they have created.” One student group created an illustrated video highlighting how to sign up for the Buddy Mentors program while the other student group focused on the tagline, “Be Someone Who Matters to Someone Who Matters.” Another key staff member, Jen Rogus, Program Sustainability Manager, shared, “We were elated to be invited by Howard University Alternative Spring Break Service to be a beneficiary of 3 days of volunteer service by their students. As a social media content creator, fresh ideas and images are one of the greatest gifts to be given, and to receive with such enthusiasm and from a different perspective is a windfall! It was fun to work with younger people from a different geographic region of the US who have unique experiences from us.”
This year’s theme for Howard’s Alternative Spring Break was, “the service continues”. Which could not be more perfect for partnership with Bright Future Foundation. Despite the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have consistently maintained and pivoted volunteer roles and opportunities like the Howard University Alternative Spring Break project. In 2020, volunteers supported the mission of Bright Future Foundation through more than 17,000 hours of service. To learn more about our current volunteer opportunities visit mybrightfuture.org/volunteer/
