For many students, spring break typically means parties, sand and fun in the sun. Yet for 10 dedicated University of Miami students, their spring break was spent helping the children and staff at the Volunteers of America Children’s Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The alternative spring break concept immerses students in a purposeful service experience designed to connect students and community members while enhancing personal growth, mutual awareness and life-long learning

The University of Miami’s Alternative Spring Break program selected our site because the students were drawn to our child care mission.  From early morning till late afternoon, the students filled their five days with a wide range of activities, helping the children during snack time, nap time and play time. To view the Channel 69 TV news story and video, click on   http://wfmz.com/view/?id=236532

“These talented college students were amazing,” said Dolores Swavely, director of the Children’s Center.  “They immediately bonded with our children and were a big help to our staff. Their enthusiasm was infectious.  We are very grateful for their gifts of time, talent and caring.”

The goal of the alternative spring break program is to expose students to various issues that affect our nation with the hope they will learn and develop a passion for helping others in need, according to Brittany Tedeschi, a University of Miami site coordinator for this program.  Each student is carefully selected for their assigned site. 

Led by site leader Amberly Reynolds, the student team helped in many ways—from playground supervision, classroom projects, cleaning, and encouraging each child to do his or her best. 

For example, Reynolds taught the pre-school children about the color green.  “I used examples like salad, veggies, and finger paint to help them understand.  They responded very well.”

The Children’s Center provides affordable child care for up to 180 children 13 months to 10 years of age.  Fees are based on a sliding scale according to income.  Volunteers of America believes that all children should have access to high quality child care.  The Children’s Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  It is also part of the Keystone Stars program and has achieved the four-star rating on a 4-Star system.

The Volunteers of America Children’s Center is now enrolling pre-school children.  For more information or to schedule a tour, call Dolores Swavely at 610-432-8352.