Spring break ‘Mission’ proved possible

More than 100 students participated at eight locations with the alternative spring break program "Mission: Possible" last week. The program continues to take students out of Spokane and into different communities, plunging them into unfamiliar cultures, service and social justice issues that plague many regions around the country. These students gave up a week of break for a week living the four pillars that structure this service program.

"On the last day of our Mission: Possible trip the group realized that this break has incorporated all of the goals of the Gonzaga education because it is educating the whole person," said Molly Johnston, who served in Tacoma, Wash. "It helps you question your faith, future and education." 

Service, spirituality, simplicity, and community are what guide each site of 12 to 20 student volunteers every year in this spring break program. The program is developed to mirror the Jesuit Volunteer Corps mission, and provides students with an experience that matches what a year of service would be like after graduation.

Students traveled by cars, trains and planes to Browning, Mont., Denver, Colo., Jonestown, Miss., Knoxville, Tenn., Neah Bay, Wash., Portland, Ore., St. Louis and Tacoma, Wash. Different sites focused on different issues. Neah Bay and Browning helped communities on reservations, Knoxville and Jonestown were building sites, and Portland, St. Louis, Tacoma and Denver focused on outreach projects.

"Mission: Possible was the best week of my life," said Alex Power who volunteered at Neah Bay. "I love Mission: Possible because it takes you out of your comfort zone. It immerses you into a new community and you create a new one within your group."

More than the Mission: Possible T-shirts being sported across campus or the Facebook statuses reflecting the amazing moments from the seven days, students have spread the word about the experiences they gained over spring break through the program campus-wide.

"This trip was definitely an unforgettable spring break as well as life-changing and eye­­-opening," Stephanie Lila said. "I found it very inspiring to meet the homeless in St. Louis and their stories were incredible." 

The communities the groups were immersed into are what many say to be the most inspiring part of the trip. In Neah Bay, "the tribe was one huge family," Power said. "Each day we asked who made an impact on you? There were always an abundance of good stories and big hearts," Johnston said.

Many regions that students visited were culturally diverse and ranged in different demographics and sizes.

"Jonestown is a very unique city with 1,000 people and only two white residents. Everybody lives in poverty. It is eye opening to see it exist here and not abroad. More than 10 years Gonzaga has gone to help the community and they expect us every year. Even though there are different people that go to the site each year, they love us and that part is fun," Lauren Mills said.

The night before each site left for their trips, all members of the program attended Mass at the Jesuit house and one last chance to meet with their group before taking off. Each location gave the students an opportunity to have a free day to explore the communities they served in during the week. The other six days were dedicated to hours of service spread across multiple organizations in communities across the country.

Students signed up in September for the program and student leaders for the trip have been planning since last year. To fundraise students are required to make a deposit of $100 and then participate in letter campaigns to ask family and friends to sponsor their service trip. Organized through CCASL, this spring break marks the 11th successful year of sending students out into different communities to serve others.

The plans for next Spring Break are imminent as applications for site leaders will be available in CCASL soon.

"I recommend Mission: Possible 110 percent because it is an alternative spring break that will not only bring you amazing memories and new friends, but an unforgettable experience," Lila said.