Alternative Spring Break in the US Virgin Islands

March 7, 2019

University Relations

UAF photo by JR Ancheta.
UAF photo by JR Ancheta.


Fourteen UAF students are spending their spring break helping those who have been most dramatically impacted by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

Alternative Spring Break is a student-led and student-driven program. This year's UAF Alternative Spring Break team will be working to benefit community members of the U.S. Virgin Islands by performing hurricane relief through local nonprofits, My Brother's Workshop and Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. The scope of work includes repairing and painting buildings, trash cleanup and debris removal, and trail maintenance and ruins clearing. While this volunteer service benefits the communities served, it also benefits the student participants. This is a unique learning experience in both planning and execution, and is one that sparks a lifelong passion for volunteer service.

If you'd like to follow their journey or donate to the cause, follow @nanooknation on Instagram or UAF Student Leadership and Involvement on Facebook.

The team is organized by the Student Leadership and Involvement office. For more information, contact Heidi Shepard at hgshepard@alaska.edu.