Mission Statement

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

Vision and Values Statement

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

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, these students are ineligible for ABP support. All projects must work with a community partner (either an individual or group/organization) within the community.