Kyra Wrentz spends summer break 2017 volunteering in Cleveland

2017 Jul 6

Kyra Wrentz of Cincinnati was among 27 compassionate Baldwin Wallace University students who gave up a week of summer break to make a difference through BW's Alternative Break service program. The program facilitated three diverse experiences with student volunteers traveling to Cleveland, Minneapolis and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in Michigan. Each journey was led by a BW student with support from a University faculty or staff adviser.

Wrentz, a graduate of Scarlet Oaks Career Development majoring in biology, volunteered to take part in the alternative break experience in Cleveland. The team of six students partnered with eight different non-profits and organizations to learn more about health disparities in the region. The BW sophomore worked with Environmental Health Watch, Invest in Children, MedWish, LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, First Year Cleveland, Greater Cleveland Foodbank, Circle Health Services and MetroHealth. The students learned about a variety of health disparities including infant mortality, lead poisoning, food insecurity, poor infrastructure and HIV services. The trip was led by BW student Sarah Gattis with support from staff adviser Danielle Rosenberger.

The BW Alternative Break service program provides students with opportunities to make a difference, travel to another area, learn new skills and meet people with similar interests. Participants commit to a six-week, pre-trip curriculum including issue education, organization orientation, team building and a full-day retreat on social justice and cultural competency. Alternative Break is one of many community service programs organized by the David & Frances Brain Center for Community Engagement to support BW's mission of empowering students to become contributing, compassionate citizens. Community groups interested in partnering with BW can contact the Center at 440-826-2403 or BrainCenter@bw.edu.