Trip Issues
Winter 2009 Issues
When: December 18-23, 2009
Health and aging
As people age and enter the later years of life, their needs change, along with their ability to meet those needs. As a result, the elderly often move into assisted living or group homes, which can be a difficult transition to make. Though their day-to-day life may be easier in terms of having assistance on hand for tasks, residents can struggle with the loss of the independence they’ve had their entire adult lives, along with facing loneliness and health problems. Trip service may include doing projects with nursing home residents, beautification of site, education of residents, and preparing and serving meals.
Health and Nutrition
One of the biggest health crises facing the United States today is obesity, costing $61billion in healthcare treatment annually. One of the root problems of this epidemic is a lack of education regarding proper nutrition and a lack of means to implement better nutrition regimens. Those circumstances lead to ignorance or lack of concern about what goes into one’s body, which has effects ranging from minor (a few extra pounds) to major (severe vitamin deficiency, heart disease, etc). Trip service may include public education, preparing meals, learning about nutrition and health, creating presentations, and making educational materials.
Animal Welfare
One of the main roles an advocate serves is being a voice for those who don’t have one of their own, as is the case with animals. Animals face abuses daily, from puppy mills to cruel farming practices to domestic neglect, and the list goes on. Sadly, even beyond abuse, problems exist that threaten the welfare of animals. The growth of the population of local feral cats continues, as does the practice animal dumping when students move. Trip service may include bathing, feeding, and exercising abandoned animals, caring for and cleaning animal housing and beautification and cleaning projects.
Homelessness and Poverty
As one walks in Gainesville near campus, s/he will probably encounter at least one person living on the streets. This is representative of a worldwide problem of homelessness, and indicative of the main cause of homelessness, poverty. In addition to the devastating circumstances of having nowhere to spend to night and often no way to pay for food, the homeless face a less talked about but still very relevant problem, which is how society as a whole regards and treats them. Trip service may include preparing and serving meals, manning a hotline, beautification projects, helping with job searches, and working with children.
MLK Weekend 2010 Issues
When: January 15-18, 2010
Children’s Healthcare
Seven percent of children in the United States have limited activity due to chronic health conditions according to the Department of Health. Children with chronic health conditions may experience limitations in some activities; frequent pain or discomfort; abnormal growth and development; and more hospitalizations, outpatient visits, and medical treatments. Numerous non-profits have collaborated with the Make a Wish Foundation to help children coping with chronic, sometimes terminal health problems. This issue focuses on education and service surrounding the healthcare world of children. Service may include volunteering with a non-profit that works with sick children, doing a variety of activities with the children and their families.
Environmental Preservation
Deforestation, unclean drinking water, habitat loss and destruction, pollution, and species extinction are just a few of the environmental challenges that this planet is facing. Conservation is the “careful utilization of a natural resource to prevent depletion”, and preservation is “to keep alive or in existence”. Both of these actions are part of a larger movement for people to live more sustainably and less destructively in the world. Trip service may include environmental cleanup, species surveying, environmental education, or garden maintenance.
Migrant Rights
Migrant worker is a term commonly used to describe low-paid laborers that often work in agriculture. These people frequently are not officially employed and have no visa. As such, they often are not given the basic rights they are entitled to, being forced to work extended hours with less pay. Migrant workers rarely have their voices heard from fear of losing their less than reliable job or being deported if they are an immigrant. Service for this issue may include working with an advocacy organization for migrant workers, learning about the challenges these laborers face, and assisting with the cleanup of local facility for the children of migrant workers.
Spring 2010 Issues
When: March 6-13, 2010
Native American Immersion
Native Americans have a rich and diverse culture whose roots date back hundreds of years. They have encountered numerous struggles like losing their land and living in poverty. Native Americans are in dire need of a strong and powerful voice to represent themselves in this large nation. They need some influential groups like FAB to assist them with their strategies to tackle their problems and sustain their traditions. Service may include assisting a Native American tribe with various tasks and helping them set-up for an annual tribal pow-wow.
Disaster Recovery
Even a few years after Hurricane Katrina hit, the local community is still rebuilding and repairing the damaged that was cost in just a few days. Many families are still displaced and areas deserted. The local government is still preparing to prevent a similar catastrophe from occurring. Participants will experience firsthand and learn about how cities recuperate after a major disaster. Service may involve physical labor.
Children's Disabilities
Millions of children throughout the United States struggle with disabling ailments ranging from learning disabilities to autism. Treatments for these ailments are costly, painful and sometimes in effective. Recent research as shown that therapeutic treatments with animals has enriched the lives of physically, emotionally, and mentally challenged children. Service may include working with an organization focused on equine therapy and various other therapy techniques.
Financial Education
Financial literacy is a large problem facing our nation. More and more teenagers have and are using credit cards, while over 1 million American families filed for bankruptcy last year. The country presents a clear disconnect between the understanding of finances and their handling. This trip may include educating communities and/or students about things important to their finances such as managing debit, reading a bank statement, and understanding interest rates.
Youth Empowerment through Sports (YETS)
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 9 million children 6-19 years old are overweight. This issue will focus on how sports enrich the lives of youth and how sports empower youths to excel academically, athletically and life in general. Many programs today are focused on getting children active and mentoring youths on the importance of fitness and teamwork. Service may include assisting an organization by creating and coordinating programs for kids.
Mental Health
Mental Health is a small niche of the healthcare system that is often overlooked and lacking adequate funding. Often times, mental health individuals fall through the cracks of society and are negatively stereotyped and their rights ignored. This issue focuses on mental health awareness and assisting individuals afflicted with mental disorders and disabilities. Service may include volunteering with a non-profit agency that focuses on helping mental health individuals return to their communities healthy and functional.
Educational Inequality
Many cities throughout the United States see an inequality gap that exists in our education systems. These cities will have schools with only a couple miles between them yet differ immensely in resources and educational opportunities they provide to their students. Service may include volunteering at schools from differing spectrums of that inequality gap and working with organizations focused on finding resources and equal education opportunities for our nation’s schools.
Environmental Issues
The environmental movement began in the United States around 1960, focusing on tackling issues like pollution, resource depletion and climate change. Environmentalism or “going green” as its termed today, focuses on environmental conservation and improvement of the state of the environment. This issue centers on becoming socially aware of the environment and what we as active citizens can do to protect it. Service may include volunteering with a non-profit in combination with a state park, doing outdoor tasks and having environmental educational opportunities.
Immigration Law
Many foreigners are displaced from their home nations due to ethnic violence, famine, or other dangerous situations. These people have to pick up everything and come to the United States, seeking refuge. Others are after a better life for themselves and their family. The immigration process in the United States is a difficult and lengthy process. Service and education may include learning how the immigration system works in the US as well as the challenges immigrants face in becoming American citizens.
Veterans & their Families
Veterans have been a cornerstone in keeping the United States protected in times of war. After returning home, they and their families encounter numerous obstacles such as posttraumatic stress and alcoholism. Many individuals don’t understand nor comprehend what veterans and their families struggle with on a day-to-day basis. Many veterans are homeless, struggle with substance abuse and suffer from mental disorders. If we don’t take of our veterans for protecting us, who should? Service may include volunteering with a non-profit that provides various services to veterans and their families, volunteering at a Veteran’s Hospital.
Marine Life Protection
Due to many factors such as global warming, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and habitat destruction, many marine ecosystems are being destroyed or significantly hurt. Efforts are being directed to save these ecosystems, many which are rich in life, through education and close monitoring. Service may include removing invasive species, tracking changes in the environment, and working to preserve native endangered species.
HIV/AIDS
This disease is an international epidemic that also affects more than a million in the US. Although significant progress has been made to increase the lifespan of those living with HIV, there is a lack of knowledge relevant to prevention and transmission. It is estimated that 1 and 5 Americans with HIV do not even know they have it. Service for this issue may include: educating the community about HIV/Aids, visiting testing facilities, advocating for community members to get tested, and distributing prevention material.
Poverty and Development (International) The poorest 40 percent of the world’s population accounts for only 5 percent of the global income. For more than two decades, governments and development agencies around the world have focused on reducing poverty. However, although tremendous strides have been made, approximately one in four people in developing countries continues to live below the World Bank’s international poverty line. Informed public investment is key to reducing poverty and addressing inequalities within society. This issue gives participants the opportunity to see poverty from an international perspective and see how culture and political issues affect the development of a nation. Service may include volunteering on various projects in a Mayan community.
Coffee and Sustainability (International)
As world population grows and resources dwindle, sustainability has quickly become a hot topic of debate in political, corporate, and social realms. As different countries, cities, and communities search for ways to make their society more sustainable, many tactics are devised and implemented. In the case of some, coffee production provides the means by which their community can contribute to the green effort and the ultimate goal of a sustainable society. Trip service may include farm labor, learning about local agricultural practices, and working on production projects.
Community Health (International)
With access to healthcare inconsistent around the world, many people die from basic ailments that are deemed “preventable.” With simple essential medicines and a quick visit to a medical professional many of these complications could be avoided. There is a new movement in the public health world to stop a lot of these illnesses, relying on educational outreach at the local level. Participants on this trip will work with an international non-governmental organization (NGO), learning about community health. Service may include preventative medicine education, community outreach and experience with basic public health initiatives.
Summer 2009 Issues
HIV/AIDS
This trip will be working with various HIV/AIDS organizations in an urban setting all dedicated to the
prevention, education and improved health of HIV/AIDS infected people. Volunteers will work with the
agencies to help create a safe environment and access to non-judgmental medical and social services.
Animal Refuge
Participants will work with over 80 threatened and endangered carnivores at this site which emphasizes the
safety and welfare of these endangered animals. Service may include habitat building and maintenance, along
with feeding and providing stimulation for the animals there. Participants will learn about the role these
animals play in our society and our world.
Criminal Justice
Participants on this trip will work with people who have been or are currently part of our criminal justice
system. Service will focus on understanding the needs and concerns of the affected parties including the
treatment of inmates.
Weekend 2009 Issues
When: January 16-19, 2009
Low-income Housing (View site leaders)
Participants on this trip will work with an organization(s) that provides permanent, affordable housing to homeless and low-income families. This trip will focus on the factors that affect obtaining and keeping housing for those families whose finances do not allow them to find affordable housing. Service may include landscaping, clean up, painting, installing appliances and other renovation services.
Environmental Preservation (View site leaders)
Participants on this trip will have a long weekend ahead of them in which they can work in parks and preserves in order to participate in activities that will help to conserve the environment for decades to come. The trip will focus on ways in which one can leave a positive and lasting imprint on Florida's ecological systems.
Spring 2009 Issues
When: March 7-14, 2009
Native American Immersion (View site leaders)
Participants will work with members of a Native American tribe. The service is varied, and will depend on what the tribe needs at the time. Besides learning how a Native American tribe runs, participants will aid by helping residents and learning about Native American culture. Past participants at this site said it was an extremely positive learning experience, and were able to maintain a relationship with the residents.
Animal Refuge (View site leaders)
Participants will work with over 100 threatened and endangered carnivores at this site which emphasizes rebuilding gene pools to maintain healthy populations for years to come. Service may include habitat building and maintenance, along with feeding and providing stimulation for the animals there. Participants will learn about the role these animals play in our society and our world.
Community Medicine (View site leaders)
Not everyone in the United States is able to afford the health care services that they desperately seek. During this trip, participants will be able to travel to rural areas and work with hospital and clinics that have the means to supply lower income families with the medical care they need.
Water Conservation (View site leaders)
Participants on this trip will have the opportunity to work directly with professional ecologists and environmentalists. They will learn how to preserve the nation's resources, like our limited supply of pure water, and why this is essential. The week will be an open door to learning and understanding the different processes that are involved in supplying and purifying water systems in the US.
Financial Education (View site leaders)
Participants will work with organizations that focus on helping their community become financially independent. Participants will learn what it means to be financially independent and what steps must be taken in order to gain autonomy. Participants will also learn about and work with the existing economic benefits programs that are available to low wage workers.
Disaster Recovery (View site leaders)
Working with a relief organization, this trip will address the problems still faced by cities affected by Hurricane Katrina. The focus will be on rebuilding communities damaged by the storm. Service will be primarily composed of physical labor.
Homelessness and Poverty (View site leaders)
Participants will be working in an urban area volunteering in service projects directly benefiting the local homeless population. The trip will focus on the relation between homelessness and poverty and the differences between the two statuses. Through interactive experiences, participants will gain valuable information to bring back to Gainesville that will help in our city's fight against homelessness.
Educational Inequality (View site leaders)
Participants will volunteer at schools and organizations that work to close the inequality gap that exists in our education systems. Participants will gain hands on experience working with these organizations and the students affecting by inadequate attention and resources. This trip will examine the ways in which the education system does in fact leave students behind and will provide possible solutions to that problem.
Immigration Law (View site leaders)
Participants will participate in hands on, interactive, activist work with immigration detainees and their families. In doing so, they will learn how the immigration system works in our country and they will learn of its effect on the families involved. Participants will also learn about the challenges in becoming an American citizen.
Youth Empowerment Through Sports (View site leaders)
This trip will focus on how sports enrich the lives of youth and how sports can be used to empower youths to excel academically, athletically and in life. Participants will work with programs that are designed to help develop fitness, reduce of stress, and create an appreciation for teamwork. Participants will get a chance to mentor youth and serve as positive role models for them.
Mental Health (View site leaders)
Participants will work closely with people aging out of foster care who have been struggling with mental health disabilities throughout their lives. Participants will become strong role models and help with the development of life skills. This trip will seek to erase the stigma of mental health disabilities and provide awareness about the issues affecting those with these disabilities.
Criminal Justice (View site leaders)
Participants on this trip will work with people who have been or are currently part of our criminal justice system. Service will focus on understanding the needs and concerns of the affected parties including the treatment of inmates.
Children's Medicine (International) (View site leaders)
This trip entails a one week long journey to help youth in impoverished nations who cannot afford healthcare or medical services. Participants will be able to work firsthand at free clinics and get directly involved with giving children a chance at staying healthy as they grow up.
Poverty and Development (International) (View site leaders)
By working with organizations dedicated to fighting poverty and increasing development, participants will be able to understand what poverty looks like in an international setting. Participants will have a chance to work one on one with local communities members in another country on sustainable projects that benefit the families in that community long term. This trip will focus on the specific cultural, political, and social conditions that affect the economic development of the local community.
Water Conservation (International) (View site leaders)
By working with international organizations dedicated to preserving one of our earth's most important resources, participants will learn about water conservation and its role in the global community. They will work both within organizations and in the field on conservation projects.