Meet our 2016 Alternative Spring Break Co-Leaders!

January 04, 2016

Every year, 25 passionate students engage with communities beyond UCSC in our Alternative Spring Break. Read below to hear from our 2016 ASB Co-Leaders about this amazing experience and how you can get involved! For details on this year's ASB schedule, see our flyer here.

Co-Leader Jenn FigueroaJenn Figueroa

This will be my third year being a part of ASB - and it's going to be great!

Major: Sociology
Minor: Computer Science
Hometown: Northridge, CA
Other involvement on campus: RA for College Nine, Tech Crew for Activities Office

Tell us about yourself!

I love dancing and hanging out with friends! Also, I am incredibly passionate about spoken word, both listening and performing. Spoken word for me is a powerful platform to speak what's on my mind without any filtration and I love it so much! 

What was the most meaningful moment for you in your work with ASB?

One of the most meaningful moments was when I participated in ASB my freshman year and collaborated at Grey Bears in Live Oak; I got to talk to a man there who shared his situation and gratefulness to this organization. It really put into perspective that these organizations are vital for people, even for people who are doing the service. I learned a lot from our short encounter, and he has given me a different lens on service that I'm really grateful for.

How does this experience relate to your academic work, extracurricular work, and personal passions?

Ashley and I have had a conversation about this before and have realized that service-learning is our self-care from school. Whenever I come back to school from a service opportunity, I have new appreciation for where I am in my life and new motivation to get where I want to go. I don't know yet where I want to go but I know I want it to be involved with service-learning.

I have been apart of Praxis the Colleges 9 & 10 Service-Learning Club since my freshman year and when I heard about ASB then, I felt that not only would it be a good use of my time over break but also allow me to do a wide range of service opportunities and learn more about my community and myself. 

What's the most important thing you've gained from your experiences with ASB?

One of the most important things I've gained is learning to acknowledge my privilege. On the 2014 ASB trip, Ana Rasmussen, the director of the Mesa Verde community garden in Live Oak, discussed her privilege as a white person creating the community garden in a mainly Latino community. She talked about how she's the bridge for people to obtain the resources they need and its important to question why this dynamic exists. I am a college student able to take my time to go into a community and serve, that's a huge privilege that not everyone has and it's incredibly important to recognize that so that we can begin to question why that is and what we can do to change that.

What are you most excited for in the upcoming ASB?

Well this year ASB will be in Wastonville, and I'm incredibly excited to collaborate with the different organizations there. More specifically, I have heard a lot of great things about the Digital Nest in Watsonville and I'm excited to be working with them during ASB!


Co-Leader Ashley Perez

Ashley Perez

Major: Literature
Minor: Education
Hometown: Hayward, CA
Other involvement on campus: Service Learning Club Coordinator for Praxis 

Tell us about yourself!

Before getting involved with service learning I always felt so connected to College Ten's theme of Social Justice and Community. Although I felt immensely connected, I felt like there was more I could do to fully immerse myself into the College Ten theme. Once I got involved in Praxis, I found a new passion for my community through community service and more importantly service learning! After joining Praxis, I naturally joined Esprit de Corps and ASB, both service learning courses offered at Colleges Nine and Ten.

What was the most meaningful moment for you in your work with ASB?

The most meaningful moment that I had with ASB was last year on our trip to Live Oak. Working side by side with other College Nine and College Ten students was truly inspiring. It felt great to work with other people that had a big passion for their community! 

How does this experience relate to your academic work, extracurricular work, and personal passions?

Service learning has become such a big part of my life. Besides getting fully involved with Praxis, I find myself being generally happy when I take the time to volunteer and practice service learning. There really is no better feeling then going out into your own community and then later reflecting on your actions and how they have positively shaped you and your community. 

What's the most important thing you've gained from your experiences with ASB?

The most important thing that I've gained from my experience with ASB is a determined spirit to continue my work and involvement with my community, whether it be here in my community of Santa Cruz County or back home in Hayward. ASB taught me a lot about how important community leaders and activist can be towards a community and how their small actions can make such a huge difference in a community. 

What are you most excited for in the upcoming ASB?

I'm so excited to get to know the community of Watsonville on a deeper level. I believe service learning is a great way to become fully involved in a community.

Want to join the team for Alternative Spring Break 2016?

Visit our ASB page and attend the info meetings to hear more!
You must attend an info meeting to apply for ASB. 
Interest Meetings:
Monday January 11, 7pm in SS1 261
Tuesday January 12, 6pm in SS1 261