“Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.”
-Albert Einstein
Center for Advancing Domestic Peace
As a participant in Alternative Breaks, I had the opportunity to volunteer in two mission trips dedicated to women's welfare and fighting against domestic abuse. In my first trip I volunteered at the Center for Advancing Domestic Peace in Chicago where I helped the organization prepare gifts for the children and organize the center for the visitors. This center focused on not only helping women who have fallen victim to abuse, but also helping those who have abused to change their way of living so that they may return to the community and live a healthy lifestyle. This experience fostered a passion in me for social change and showed me the importance of these organizations in helping members of our society to have a second chance at a better life.
Group Photograph at Center for Advancing Domestic Peace Office: December 2017
 Team working together in office |  Alternative Breaks Team visits the Bean |  Group tried deep dish pizza |
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 Visiting the Chicago Bean |  Preparing gifts in the office |
Haven Housing
In the winter of 2018 I had the privilege to help the team at Haven Housing who assist single mothers and women with past trauma by providing them with a home to heal and resources to strive towards a better future. As a volunteer I had the opportunity to create a welcoming environment for the residents by decorating the housing establishment for Christmas as well as freshly painting the rooms. We also had the chance to set up various activities with the children, such as a gingerbread house decoration night. My team and I also organized a mall that residents could shop at and play with the kids. Seeing the community of support that was created at Haven Housing was incredibly motivational. Through all the hardship these families faced, having a welcoming home to return to and the provisions to help them succeed allowed many families to stay out of the streets, and being a part of this change was an honor.
Group Photograph at Haven Housing outside of Annie's Place: December 2018
 Making Christmas Decorations-In progress |  Setting up decorations outside of the center |  Painting the bathrooms at Haven Housing |
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 Alternative Breaks memories |  Visited the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden |  Final touches on decoration set up |
 Group outside of Haven Housing-Ascension Place |