Hunger and Homelessness/Human Rights Issues

“Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.” - John Steinbeck

It has been estimated that in one year, over 254,000 men, women, and children are homeless in the Los Angeles County. In one night, over 80,000 individuals are estimated to be homeless. Rightly so, Los Angeles is considered to be one of the homeless capitals of the world.

This Alternative Spring Break trip gives students the opportunity to examine homelessness and poverty on a first-hand basis. The program starts with pre-trip activities that focus on homelessness in Los Angeles.  Activities we have done in the past were: visiting skid row, down town women’s shelter, watching documentary on the homeless.

The week of spring break, students work at Dorothy’s place, a day shelter in Salinas, California , where they have one-on-one interaction with the homeless. Students will serve breakfast and lunch to the shelter’s “guests,” most importantly; the students talk to guests, share experiences or life stories, or be challenged into a game of bridge.  We also helped prepare a picnic and a softball game at a nearby park for Dorothy’s guests.

The program proves to be an eye-opening experience that will not only offer students the opportunity to explore the issues surrounding homelessness but to develop their own self-awareness. Understand the causes of homelessness and what we can do to help. Other events throughout the week include: visiting an organic farm, reading and making art projects with children at a migrant farmer camp, and visiting food banks, and participating in "Women Alive" an overnight emergency shelter for women at Dorothy's Place.

The Salinas program is one of the Volunteer Center's oldest Alternative Spring Break trips. Since 1999, over one-hundred students have spent their spring breaks making lasting friendships while engaging in community service.