ABSTRACT
Average people and the average community can change the world. Although communities can be described by proximity or affinity, the most powerful type of community organizes around both qualities. It may seem simplistic to view the relationship between proximity and affinity as just between two people, but, ultimately, the groups and communities active citizens work in are not very different from this comparison. Alternative break program leaders can curate accounts, shaping and drawing out a narrative that will benefit the program needs at that time, including recruitment, financial support, faculty interest, building program culture, and deepening the commitment to justice. Alumni can speak at reorientation banquets to help give current participants an idea of what it looks like to translate a powerful alternative break experience into a career that supports active citizenship. Alumni can participate in focus groups, provide evaluation and feedback on different program pieces, and be interviewed to measure longitudinal impact.
