1. http://n
ews.cinci
nnati.co
a .co
m/articl
e/9999
9999/FL
ASH01/
100409 “I HAVE MANY WANTS BUT
012 FEW NEEDS”: SPRING BREAK
NEEDS
IN RURAL APPALACHIA
Jessica King
2011 UC Diversity Conference

2. University Honors Program
y g
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
g g p
learning projects that focus on:
Community engagement
Global studies
Leadership
Research and creative arts
Committed to helping students maximize their
C d h l d h
educational opportunities at UC while discovering and
pursuing their passions in life and using their gifts and
talents to make meaningful contributions to society.
l k f l b

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

4. Appalachian Culture
pp
In brief
A strong work ethic, independence, self-reliance,
pride, religion, humility, modesty, patriotism,
loyalty, neighborliness, “un-churched” religion,
family bonds
Coal d i b i d i
C l and timber industries
Distinct dialect
Social issues
Poverty, isolation, prescription drug abuse,
mountain t removal
t i top l

5. “[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

6. Evolution of an Experience
p
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 d
St d t demand to offer experience in the
d t ff i i th
absence of the course
Spring
S i 2010 – 12 students
d
Spring 2011 – 23 students

7. Pre-Departure
p
General promotion of opportunity
p pp y
Pre-readings and videos, linked in e-portfolio
The Road to Poverty: The Making of Wealth and
y g
Hardship in Appalachia -- Billings & Blee (2000)
“Hidden America: Children of the Mountains” – Diane
Sawyer,
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

8. Christian Appalachian Project
pp j
“Workfest is CAP’s alternative
spring b k f college
i break for ll
students. The event attracts
more than 400 students from
40 diff
different colleges and
ll d
universities each March.
During Workfest, students
serve i teams to repair
in i
substandard housing and
build new homes for low-
income f l in eastern
families
Kentucky. No prior
construction or building
experience is necessary.”
(christianapp.org)

9. 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

11. Impact
p
Credit/service requirements may have been an
/ q y
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
N t d some reinforced stereotypes
i f d t t
More complex views about poverty and why it
exists

12. Impact
p
Ben Schutte
(right)
3 year
Workfest
participant
Long-term
volunteer with
CAP

13. “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

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

15. Urban Appalachian Population
pp p
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,
People s
Purcell-Gates
Urban Appalachian Council

16. “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
comm nit beca se po ert s ch rele ant iss e too p shed
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