ODU Students Give Back to the Community During Their Spring Break

April 5 , 2007

COLUMBUS, OH – A group of students from Ohio Dominican University spent their week of spring break, March 12 - 16, lending a helping hand to the less fortunate through ODU’s alternative spring break program, organized by Campus Ministry.     

Students, faculty and staff lent a helping hand during their Alternative Spring Break in the Bronx in New York. From left (back row): Chrissy Sofranko, Barry Reinholz, Sr. Margie Davis,OP, Leona Jewel and Jennifer Schaaf; (middle row) Laramie Aldridge, Taina Rodriguez (POTS), John Mascazine; and (front row) Nikki Doles, Andrew Williams and Austina McFarland.

The alternative spring break combines service, education and fun, as students work with people living in poverty-stricken areas.  Part of the students’ day includes service activities. They experience different cultures and lifestyles, while enjoying a break from schoolwork and the classroom setting.

Campus Ministers Austina McFarland  and Jenn Schaaf, led the trip to the Bronx in New York, where they worked together with POTS (Part of the Solution).

Bronx County, N.Y. has one of the lowest median family incomes in the nation. In 2003, more household and family incomes were in the bracket of “under $10,000” than in any other bracket. POTS responds to these issues through three programs: The Basic Program, The Homeless Prevention Program and The Transitional Residence Program.  The Basic Program includes the Community Dining Room, which serves more than 280 hot meals a day.  The Homeless Prevention Program at POTS is the only pantry open five days a week in the Bronx.  An average of 450 families and individuals receive a meals from the pantry every month.

“This is an experience and opportunity for students to step outside of themselves and give wholeheartedly to a worthy cause. In the ‘culture of me,’ service is often pushed to the side,” said McFarland. “We hope that the students will learn not only more about themselves, but that their eyes and hearts will be opened up to the needs of those around them.”

The ODU students participating in the  Alternative Spring Break program this year were:

Laramie Aldridge, junior
Nikki Doles, senior
Leona Jewel, freshman
Barry Reinholz, freshman
Andrew Williams, junior

The students were joined by John Mascazine, Associate Professor of Education; alum Sr. Margie Davis, OP; and Chrissy Sofranko from the ODU Residence Life staff.