Spring break is a time for most people to relax, unwind and seek new experiences and adventures. As employees here at Georgia Tech, we have access to an exciting opportunity for a spring break adventure- the Alternative Service Break (ASB)! These trips happen every break and are organized by a student-run organization in partnership with Civic Engagement. It’s an opportunity for Georgia Tech staff and students to build connections and develop new perspectives through acts of community service.
One person who decided to join in on this amazing opportunity is ASC’s very own Jalen Smith!
When Jalen first heard about the ASB program, he initially passed on the invitation. But after finding out that the program needed more staff members to join the students, he decided to get involved. Besides filling in the need for more staff members on the trip, he thought that the trip would be a great way for him to challenge himself and do something different.
Jalen’s ASB trip took him to the boroughs of New York City, where he worked together with 8 Georgia Tech students to engage with local organizations and their efforts to address a variety of social issues. Over the course of the week, they delivered meals to homebound residents, assisted at a food pantry by sorting and fulfilling grocery orders, helped prepare and serve meals at a soup kitchen, and supported a community center distributing clothing and toiletries to families in need.
Jalen is no stranger to community service. Prior to this trip, he had already been involved in several initiatives, including at an event hosted by UPS where he packaged hygiene kits for people in need. Back in his hometown, he also volunteered with local service organizations to give back to his community. Going on the ASB trip reminded Jalen of the social issues that remained persistent here in Georgia and the role that everyday people can play in solving them: “I feel like getting exposure from an event such as this one where we were in another state allows people to think of ideas that they can bring back home to help their communities as well.”
Aside from invigorating his commitment to community service, the ASB trip also deepened Jalen’s sense of responsibility and leadership. Having to look out for the 8 students who were on the trip with him placed him in a leadership role. Speaking about this, Jalen said “It wasn’t shocking. It was just like an aha moment.” In this position, he was able to reinforce a culture of collaboration and mutual cooperation within the ASB team. He admired the willingness of the students to engage with community service at all, especially because it is not a typical “spring break activity”. “More than anything, I was happy that the students decided to do this because really they gave up their spring break to participate in an opportunity to give back to others,” he said.
Being on the trip did not just teach Jalen a lot about working with students, it also taught him a lot about himself too. Throughout the trip, he learned to value the way that others worked, even if it was different from his own approach to solving problems. He realized that the will of individuals to work together towards a shared end goal is what makes teamwork successful, and he hopes to carry this idea with him to the workplace and beyond.
Reflecting on the experience, the ASB trip has inspired Jalen to get even more involved with the local community here in Atlanta. He was deeply impressed with how the facilities and organizations he visited in NYC operated and he hopes to connect with people who might be able to do something similar here in Atlanta.
We can all take a cue from Jalen and remember that giving back does not need to be limited by schedule- it can start right here, right now. Whether it is through joining a future ASB trip or finding a way to contribute to the local community, Jalen’s experience is a reminder that community service is a powerful way to connect with others and even learn more about ourselves.