Alternative Break

• You must be a full-time faculty or staff member at SLCC to apply to be an Alternative Break Site Advisor.
• You must upload a letter of approval or recommendation from your supervisor confirming that, if selected as a site advisor, you have permission to miss work.
• Support your respective peer leader in their research, planning, and leadership
• Attend and offer support in organizing mandatory Alternative Break orientation and reorientation meetings
• Attend 3-4 meetings with the Coordinator for Student Community Leadership, peer leader, and community partner
• Attend the Alternative Break Site Advisor Training - October 1, 2026 | 9 AM - 11 AM | Thayne Center Conference Room (STC 126B)
• Co-led your Alternative Break experience
• Manage the budget for the Alternative Break experience
• Uphold the Safety & Emergency Response Procedures for Alternative Break Experiences
• Help facilitate group discussion and reflection on the experience
• Work to create a community of respect and safety within your group on the experience
• Complete college driver training and serve as one of the drivers of rental vehicles or motor pool vans
• Write a report/summary/submit a HIPs Experience Reflection Form about the experience. Specific instructions will be provided to you upon return.
• Other duties as assigned.

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Description: Over the past fifty years, Utah has welcomed more than 65,000 refugees from more than 40 countries. In 2025, an executive order was enacted to pause formal refugee settlement processes. Despite this order, thousands of refugee families remain in Utah and enrich communities throughout the state with diverse life experiences and celebrations of different cultures. The Fall Alternative Break will explore different community partners and resources that empower our refugee population to thrive and sustain an enriching life here in Utah. Participants will volunteer with New Roots Farm and the Know Your Neighbor program to learn about community initiatives and reflect on how the state continues refugee support despite ongoing federal policy changes. 
Date: October 15 - 16, 2026

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
Description: Community organizations play an essential role in the fight to eradicate homelessness in Salt Lake City. Every day, community organizations strive to serve the unhoused population both through immediate services such as food and clothing as well as long-term efforts such as advocating for policy changes that will reduce poverty rates. The Fall Alternative Break will allow for volunteers to learn about community partners like Crossroads Urban Center that are supporting people experiencing homelessness with life saving resources and how Salt Lake City can become more affordable.
Date: October 15 - 16, 2026

Participants will receive essential amenities, including transportation, lodging, and meals. The specific items offered during each break may vary based on individual needs, but the core necessities will always be provided.

Transportation will be arranged using designated vehicles, with driving responsibilities shared between the Alternative Break Peer Leader and Alternative Break Site Advisor. Lodging accommodations will vary by trip and may include options such as hotels, Airbnbs, or camping.

Fall Alternative Break experiences are two full days on Thursday and Friday. Spring Alternative Break experiences are a weeklong, from Monday to Friday, for domestic trips, and typically three days, Monday to Wednesday, for local trip.

Alternative Break Peer Leaders will email the participants a general packing list. Please pack the essentials, such as medications.

We're committed to supporting participants who require accommodations. For more details, please visit Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Accessibility & Disability Services or reach out to Savannah O'Sickey at sosickey@slcc.edu.

Thanks to generous funding from SLCC, Alternative Breaks are cost-free for students. However, if a participants fails to meet all of the trip requirements, financial payment may be necessary to cover missed costs.

Check out SLCC Serves  for more opportunities to serve on campus and get involved in the community.

Follow the Thayne Center on Instagram at thaynecenter_slcc to receive updates on Alternative Break!