“I HAVE MANY WANTS BUT FEW NEEDS”: SPRING BREAK IN RURAL APPALACHIAJessica King

2011 UC Diversity Conference

http://news.cincinnati.co

m/article/99999999/

FLASH01/10040901

2

University Honors Program

Comprises the top 5% of UC students and offers an engaging environment in which students are inspired to learn more, do more, and be more. Students are challenged through honors seminars and experiential learning projects that focus on: Community engagement Global studies Leadership Research and creative arts

Committed to helping students maximize their educational opportunities at UC while discovering and pursuing their passions in life and using their gifts and talents to make meaningful contributions to society.

Appalachian Region

Appalachian mountain chain stretches from Mississippi to New York, including parts of Southern Ohio, spanning 205,000 square-miles

Appalachian Culture

In brief A strong work ethic, independence, self-

reliance, pride, religion, humility, modesty, patriotism, loyalty, neighborliness, “un-churched” religion, family bonds

Coal and timber industries Distinct dialect Social issues

Poverty, isolation, prescription drug abuse, mountain top removal

“[The Appalachian people are] a misunderstood group, doing the best that they can. Just because they have a different culture, they are not any less important and they work just as hard.” – first year student

Evolution of an Experience

Alternative spring break offered in conjunction with an honors seminar for a number of years Appalachian Culture & Intercultural

Communication Taught by MJ Woeste, Dept. of

Communication Student demand to offer experience

in the absence of the course Spring 2010 – 12 students Spring 2011 – 23 students

Pre-Departure

General promotion of opportunity Pre-readings and videos, linked in e-portfolio

The Road to Poverty: The Making of Wealth and Hardship in Appalachia -- Billings & Blee (2000)

“Hidden America: Children of the Mountains” – Diane Sawyer, 20/20 Special

Meeting led by returning students in the last two years Icebreakers More discussion of history and culture, Anecdotes from prior experiences

Christian Appalachian Project

“Workfest is CAP’s alternative spring break for college

students. The event attracts more than 400 students

from 40 different colleges and universities each March.

During Workfest, students serve in teams to repair

substandard housing and build new homes for low-income families in eastern

Kentucky. No prior construction or building

experience is necessary.” (christianapp.org)

Workfest

Orientation and welcome Four work days

Mixed crews New builds, rehab projects

Evening programming History of the region Poverty Family dinner School night Nightly reflections

Impact

Credit/service requirements may have been an initial motivator Post-experience reflection indicates much more

Interest in continuing to serve in some capacity Recognizing local needs

Altered perceptions of the Appalachian region Region of contrasts Noted some reinforced stereotypes

More complex views about poverty and why it exists

Impact

Ben Schutte (right)

3 year Workfest participant

Long-term volunteer with CAP

“My perceptions have changed. It is a mixture of poor and not poor at times right next to each other. It has a beautiful landscape right next to a landscape full of garbage. My perception of Appalachia is best defined as one of stark contrasts.” – first year student

“Community service will help me become a better and more understanding student. I want to help those in poverty locally.” – third year student

Urban Appalachian Population

1 in 4 native Cincinnatians can trace their roots to Appalachia (uacvoice.org)

Particular pockets of this population found in communities such as Camp Washington, Northside, Price Hill, etc.

Other People’s Words: The Cycle of Low Literacy, Purcell-Gates

Urban Appalachian Council

“This trip has encouraged me to stay actively involved in the Cincinnati community because poverty is such a relevant issue here too. It has pushed me to want to sort of ‘stop the fire at the base of the flame’ and get involved in education and youth mentoring.” – first year student