Mission Statement

The Alternative Break Program (ABP) fosters student leadership development and a life-long interest and commitment to civic engagement by supporting student-driven, solution-based, civic engagement projects on academic breaks.

Vision & Values Statement

The ABP is a student-led, and administrator-managed, program that provides programmatic and financial support for students’ independent development and leadership of domestic or international civic-engagement projects over spring, or summer breaks. The ABP seeks to support and help develop civic-engagement projects that aim to address a community challenge in a sustainable way, are welcomed by the community, as well as require and utilize unique skills that team members possess.

Eligibility

The ABP is open to students of the four undergraduate schools. Non-Columbia University students may participate as part of the project team however are ineligible for ABP support.
All projects must work with a community partner (either an individual or group/organization) within the community.