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To many weary college students, spring break means relaxation, travel and respite from the classroom. 

But for some Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC) students, spring break brought an opportunity to serve, learn and engage with communities locally and regionally through the college’s Alternative Spring Break program.

Spearheaded by GGC’s Student Affairs division, the initiative provides students opportunities to collaborate with nonprofits and community organizers through service projects and cultural experiences, according to JP Peters, GGC’s assistant director of Community Engagement and Service.

“Supporting students to make the world a better place by bringing about positive change is a big part of the program,” he said. “It stresses the importance of community engagement and service.”

The opportunity to serve excited third-year international business student Lindsey Webb, 23, of Suwanee.

“When I first heard about Alternative Spring Break, I thought it was a unique opportunity to do something constructive,” he said. “Typically during spring break, I’m trying to find things to do like playing video games or visiting family. So, I thought it was really cool to actually do something in the community.”

Among the weeklong service offerings, Webb found himself volunteering with GGC students at the Lawrenceville Community Garden, one of 11 garden sites managed by Gwinnett County. Harvest Gwinnett offers community members the opportunity to lease 4’x8’ plots for growing plants and vegetables in parks and public spaces around Gwinnett County. 
Brandon Seay, a 2021 GGC environmental science graduate who runs the garden as a program supervisor for Harvest Gwinnett, said there are “community share rows” at each garden. These rows are planted and maintained by Harvest Gwinnett and volunteers. Everything harvested from these rows is donated to local foodbanks and nonprofits.

Webb had no gardening experience, but as he separated weeds from the soil, picked fresh winter crops and washed gardening tools, he found he liked it.

“There are a lot more components in gardening that I didn’t consider, but it feels peaceful,” Webb said. “I think I’ll pick it up.”

While Webb found peace, another student found nostalgia.

On the other side of the garden, third-year health science student Logan D. Boykins, 22, carefully clipped mustard greens at their stems.

“The experience reminds me of the days I used to garden with my grandfather,” she explained. “He used to grow tomatoes and cucumbers at his home in Florida. He had a big green thumb.”

This year, GGC’s Alternative Spring Break included opportunities for students to serve locally at eight different sites in Gwinnett County. In addition, a trip to Selma, Alabama, focused on civic and voter engagement, and another to Walland, Tennessee, focused on environmental sustainability.

Peters said he plans to expand offerings to include more service events next year, such as student-led activities and an Alternative Spring Break trip abroad.

“There’s a lot going on in the area of community engagement and service,” said Peters. “We are creating new spaces for students to develop and lead initiatives to enhance our community. Service is one of GGC’s four pillars, and it’s in our DNA.”

View and download Alternative Spring Break photos.