Each spring break, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provides students with a unique opportunity to give back. This year, 40 students with the center’s VOLbreaks program traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois, collectively completing over 1,100 hours of community service while developing a deeper understanding of the world beyond campus.
“VOLbreaks allows students to learn about different issues from those local to the communities they’re serving,” said Grace Hicks, the Jones Center’s educational specialist for VOLbreaks. “Through VOLbreaks, participants collaborate and partner with nonprofit organizations in different cities across the country to perform short-term service projects that allow them to learn through hands-on service. VOLbreaks are often the catalyst for students’ lifelong exploration of what it means to be an active part of their communities.”
This year’s trips focused on three themes: disaster relief, public health and youth development.
Disaster Relief
Thirteen students traveled to Asheville, North Carolina, to support disaster relief efforts in the community in the wake of Hurricane Helene. More than 420 community service hours were logged picking up debris, sorting and packaging food donations, and preparing meals.
Amy Gonzalez, a senior from Hixson, Tennessee, studying sustainability with a minor in business administration, was inspired seeing how the community has come together to tackle challenges after the natural disaster.
“The most impactful thing was the power of community,” said Gonzalez. “In the first few days, it was just them relying neighbor on neighbor because they didn’t have connections to the rest of the world. Once they did regain that connection, the community only grew stronger. I came back inspired to continue the mission — I don’t want to come back and forget about it.”
Participants also had the opportunity to speak with a representative who worked with FEMA during the peak of its disaster response efforts and a local nonprofit partner to learn more about their experiences in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
In their free time, students explored the parts of the River Arts district that have been reopened to the public and went on a hike to enjoy the Smoky Mountains.
Public Health
In Washington, D.C., 13 students volunteered with multiple local nonprofit organizations to learn about nonmedical factors that impact health outcomes, such as food security, education and access to transportation. The group completed more than 320 hours of community service preparing balanced meals for community food pantries and outreach programs, sorting food pantry and clothing donations, and beautifying a local high school.
“I am a public health minor, and I’ve learned a lot about it in the classroom,” said Sara Martin, a master’s student studying computer science from Santa Fe, Tennessee. “That setting is completely different in real life. Being on the front lines with nonprofit organizations that are helping, you see that there are people doing everything they can to help. The only way to truly help is to humble yourself and go into the community.”
In addition to service opportunities, students had educational opportunities with Revitalizing Community Membership of Washington to learn about how disability services are considered in public health. The group also received CPR, AED and naloxone awareness training from the city’s fire and emergency medical services departments and toured a local urban farm.
The group was able to sightsee at areas including the National Mall and the National Harbor during their free time.
Youth Development
In Chicago, 14 students worked with local organizations to support underserved youth through education, mentorship and community-building initiatives. Working with after-school programs and packing boxes of clothing and books to be distributed, the group logged more than 350 community service hours.
Participants also had the opportunity to meet with alumnus Patrick Angelaccio, who graduated from the College of Social Work in 2023 and was named a Torchbearer during his time at UT. Angelaccio works as a school guidance counselor and social worker in the area and shared his experience pursuing a career in youth development.
While in Chicago, students were able to visit the Chicago Zoo and the Chicago Cultural Center and see iconic landmarks like the Bean.
Since 1993, UT students have traveled to 22 states and more than 65 cities with VOLbreaks, completing community service projects with local nonprofits, interacting with local leaders and engaging with the critical challenges facing communities across the country.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Maggie Palmer (865-974-3993, mpalme19@utk.edu)