DEFINING THE MERRIMACK EXPERIENCE

The growth of students not only intellectually but also spiritually and morally, is the foundation of our Augustinian heritage with its emphasis on community life and serving one another.

It is a powerful combination of academic excellence integrated with the enriching experience of community service that shapes our students and guides them to a rich and fulfilling life.

The College promotes a cooperative approach among members of the college to teaching and learning, to research, and to social justice in sustaining the College's responsibility as a partner among neighboring communities.

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ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK (ASB) 

• Working in a soup kitchen.
• Volunteering at an Augustinian orphanage or school.
• Building and repairing homes.
• Beautifying a neighborhood environment. 

These are but a few of the volunteer activities that many Merrimack College students and their advisors perform every year during Alternative Spring Break (ASB), a tradition on the Merrimack campus for nearly 50 years.   During their various locations across the United States and internationally, students become involved in communities and are exposed to different cultures.  These experiences encourage a lifetime of civic involvement, and often for the first time, students see the struggles that others must endure.  Students raise their own funds to cover program expenses, transportation, food, and supplies for each service site.

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ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK (AWB) 

This year a group of students will travel to Washington D.C. to serve meals and tutor children with SOME (So Others Might Eat). 

SOME is an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation's Capitol.

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OTHER SERVICE AND JUSTICE & PEACE OPPORTUNITIES 

• MERRIMACTION - weekly, monthly, one-time service opportunities. 
• MERRIMACK IN THE CITY DAY - once each semester to reach out to needs in our local communities.
• HIKE FOR HOPE - Fall pledge walk to benefit Lazarus House in Lawrence.
• THANKSGIVING BASKET DRIVE - opportunity to offer a Thanksgiving meal to families in need.
• CHRISTMAS GIVING TREE - opportunity to care for people in need in the Lawrence area during the Christmas season.
• SWEEPS WEEK - end of the academic year opportunity to support families in need by recycling clothing, housewares, food, etc. before returning home.
• JUSTICE & PEACE COALITION - student-led opportunities to become aware of social justice issues in our society and world.

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For more information please contact:

Brian Suehs-Vassel

Campus Minister for Service Opportunities
SuehsVasselB@merrimack.edu
978-837-5453