ALTERNATIVE BREAKS
What We're About
Alternative Breaks are fully immersive and highly organized service trips for students and young adults that allow them to make a direct impact in a community while learning more deeply about the issues surrounding that community and the larger world.
Break A Difference is a nonprofit organization with the goal of accelerating young leaders on a trajectory of lifelong service. We believe in the transformative power of volunteerism, both for the individual volunteer and the community in which they serve. Individuals are more likely and better equipped to become involved in community organizations, take on leadership roles, and continue to serve following participation in a Alternative Break.
Break A Difference prides itself on being an organization of relationships. During an Alternative Break, you will have the opportunity to experience the work of non-profit partners, learn from industry leaders making change in their communities, and develop the skills needed to lead on campus and for years to come.
Are you ready to take advantage of your break? Are you excited to get off the beaten path and see a city from the view of those that live there? Be a part of something bigger than yourself and find the Alternative Break that’s right for you! Click on a location below to learn more about what’s happening in the community.
2026 Dates & Locations
To Be Announced
UNIQUE SERVICE EXPERIENCE
IMPACT
Break A Difference identifies opportunities for high impact service, blending direct service to recipients with capacity building activities for the non-profit partner.
NON-PROFIT PARTNERS
Break A Difference has relationships with a national network of local, community based non-profits and knows how to supplement their internal volunteer management capacity to ensure the best experience for Break'rs.
HIGH-TOUCH EXPERIENCE
Small teams are matched with an experienced team leader for the highest quality experience.
INTEGRATED PROGRAMS
BREAK OPEN: warm-up with team building sessions that prepare you to fully experience your Alternate Break.
BREAK BREAD: connect and re-energize with nightly reminders of the amazing work you are doing!
BREAK BEYOND: meet community leaders and learn what a lifetime of service looks like in practice.
BREAK OUT: reflect on your experience, and get emotional closure on your Alternative Break.
WORRY-FREE LOGISTICS
BREAK'R EXPERIENCE-FOCUSED
Break A Difference directly manages all aspects of the service experience, assisting our non-profit partners rather than relying on them to make the experience successful.
TURN-KEY APPROACH
Break A Difference program fees include all meals, housing, airport transfers, transportation between housing and service; and all supplies.
CODE OF CONDUCT
All Break A Difference programs are drug and alcohol free, and a culture of respect for all differences is strictly maintained.
PAST BREAKS
WHAT BREAK'RS SAY
Teisha Miles
2x Break Trips
Doing Alternative Breaks helped me find my purpose!
Abigail Cook
2x Break Trips
Going on an Alternative Break allowed me to not only explore a new place, but also partake in perspective-changing volunteer efforts.
Tom Egan
2x Break Trips
Life is all about trying new things and taking risks, and I can promise you that this is something that you will wonder why you did not participate sooner.