VALPARAISO | Instead of spending spring break on sunny beaches, three groups of Valparaiso University students will put their faith into action during service trips to Illinois, New Orleans and Kentucky.

 Junior Alissa Kretzmann, a social work major from Mansfield, Ohio, is one of several students participating in a service trip sponsored by Valpo’s Social Action Leadership team.

 "I have a passion for service learning experiences, and think it is an invaluable experience to be able to serve alongside other students," said Kretzmann. "These trips not only provide good service to people in need, but they also help students gain a first hand understanding of how poverty and natural disasters can devastate people’s lives." 

 Members of SALT will travel to areas of the country affected by poverty and natural disasters during the two-week spring break starting Feb. 26:

 

Harvey, Ill. - Fifteen students will live and work at a community center where they will tutor at-risk youth, assist elderly with special needs, help manage a food pantry and offer drug rehabilitation support.

 

New Orleans - Thirteen students will continue work on disaster relief projects in portions of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast communities ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.

 

Kentucky - Seven students will assist low-income residents with renovations to make their homes sturdier and more secure in the state’s rural Appalachian region. The work is done in cooperation with the Christian Appalachian Project.

 

Members of SALT previously worked in those areas, and have seen the impact of those efforts.

 "In New Orleans, we have already been able to accomplish a lot of good relief work. Homes have been repaired and debris has been cleared, but lives are still in pieces," said Kretzmann. "People in these communities need to be heard, they want to tell their stories, and these service learning trips offer students the opportunity to serve and listen to people, to be able to stand with them in solidarity and service."

 The trips are funded in part by Lilly Faith and Service grants, but SALT members are soliciting other financial support to fund their work. Donations may be mailed to the Chapel of the Resurrection, Valparaiso, IN 46383, with "Spring Break Trips" in the memo line of checks.

 To get involved, students can contact Kretzmann at Alissa.Kretzmann@valpo.edu.

 Other VU students will participate in service trips working with children in Nicaragua schools and providing medical care to communities in Central America.