Sarah Gattis spends Spring Break volunteering in Kansas City, Mo.

2016 Apr 7

Sarah Gattis of Westerville is one of 51 caring Baldwin Wallace University students who gave up 2016 Spring Break week to make a difference through BW's Alternative Break service program. The program facilitated five diverse trips with student volunteers traveling to Atlanta; Boston; Kansas City, Mo.; New Orleans; Toledo, Ohio; Detroit and Chicago. The trips were led by a BW student with a University faculty or staff adviser providing support.

Gattis, a graduate of New Albany High School majoring in public health, volunteered to take part in the Alternative Break trip to Kansas City, Mo. The trip focused on refugee and immigration services. Students partnered with Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas which resettles refugees in the Kansas City area, offering case management, job development, English classes, and hope. The students volunteered with New Roots for Refugees, a program of Catholic Charities. New Roots for Refugees helps refugee women put down new roots by helping them start their own small farm businesses growing and selling vegetables. The BW sophomore worked alongside new refugee friends on the farm, and had the opportunity to learn about the full spectrum of services and programs offered by Catholic Charities. The trip was led by BW student Jessi Grasso with support from staff adviser Jordan Haidet.

The Alternative Break experience at BW provides students with opportunities to make a difference, travel to another area, learn new skills and meet people with similar interests. 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 of an increasingly global society. Community groups interested in partnering with BW can contact the Center for Community Engagement at 440-826-2403 or oco@bw.edu.