Branch Out Alternative Breaks

Branch Out team at Northern Neck Free Clinic jumping on beach In a Branch Out Alternative Break, you can join a team and travel during fall, winter, or spring break, and several weekends, to engage in service-based learning in partnership with host communities, while connecting with new people and developing skills in issue-based action. All alternative breaks are free and open to currently-enrolled undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, thanks to the generosity of our funders.

"This experience allowed me to fully immerse myself...and establish an unusual, and unique, interaction with the nature.... The conversation with a girl [from the host community] made me reflect on the privileges I have and how poverty can entwine closely with education, employment, the family support system, and even drug addiction.” - Branch Out Participant

Join an Alternative Break

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Mission & Vision Branch Out's mission is to engage students in diverse quality alternative breaks so that they become active and educated members of society. Our vision is to create a community of active and educated individuals dedicated to the pursuit of social justice. Branch Out is committed to working for a society in which everyone can achieve their full potential. We strive to ensure that our projects build capacity and respect the dignity of the communities with whom we partner.
Values Social Justice: working toward a society that values dignity and equality, and that allows all individuals to reach their full potential Centering Community: prioritizing community in values and actions, and working in groups to achieve shared goals; continuing advocacy, service, and philanthropy after alternative breaks end to further promote community goals and address social issues Intentionality: ensuring alignment of mission, vision, and values in all our practices; creating high-quality experiences that develop active citizenship and meet community goals Inclusion: creating a safe and welcoming community for all; ensuring accessibility to programs for a diversity of participants Collective Leadership: recognizing and utilizing the unique contributions of each person at all levels of the program; creating conditions to empower all to work together toward shared goals Fun and Lightheartedness: honoring the humanity of each person through humor and encouragement; incorporating warmth and care for community in all processes Mutually-Beneficial Partnerships: supporting community-driven social change while students learn and are challenged in community settings; working in solidarity with community partners and members; developing active citizenship in all those involved Sustainability: working toward long-term community partnerships and relationships; retaining and developing student leaders within the program; reducing and offsetting negative environmental impacts; practicing simplicity in budgeting, housing choices, and food, as a way of being in solidarity with community members
Reorientation Grants We are proud to offer reorientation grants to financially support projects to individuals or groups who have been on alternative breaks to further their service and learning after returning to campus Learn More About Reorientation Grants

Visit Branch Out on GivePulse, TribeLink, Facebook, and Instagram. Contact [[wmbranchout, us]], or our advisor, [[mcporter, Melody Porter]].

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Mission & Vision

Values

Reorientation Grants