Alternative Breaks Service-Learning Trips
Alternative Breaks (AB) is a program within Volunteerism and Service-Learning that sends small groups of UT Austin students to outside communities to grow as leaders and learn through immersive service experiences. AB is great for passionate students looking to spend their academic breaks on productive and interactive service-learning opportunities. AB revolves around five key tenets: Service, Learning, Community, Cultural Humility and Active Citizenship. By becoming Active Citizens, AB participants promise to carry what they learn back to Austin and back on campus.
Through AB, students will participate in immersive service-learning experiences. In 2026, funding will give AB participants the opportunity to travel to:
- San Antonio, Texas
- The Rio Grande Valley, Texas
- New Orleans, Louisiana
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Jonesville, Virginia
- Houston, Texas
Each of these trips provides a unique experience to engage with different communities in a safe and educational way. Participants practice skills such as leadership, critical thinking and collaboration throughout their Alternative Break. These AB experiences are open to all UT students and there are no prerequisites to join. Whether students are looking to take their first step into service-learning or are seasoned volunteers, they will find a place in AB.
AB allows students to learn more about the unique histories of Austin’s neighboring communities and build meaningful relationships that will shape their worldview. Donations will alleviate financial barriers for students’ participation. We are eager to keep AB accessible to all.
Gifts to Alternative Breaks contribute to...
Advocates 📣
Community Advocates
Generated 3501 clicks and 310 gifts, totaling $35,401Soh Nishiyama
Generated 305 clicks and 116 gifts, totaling $19,672Luke Mastrian
Generated 342 clicks and 233 gifts, totaling $18,348David Griffin
Generated 170 clicks and 61 gifts, totaling $11,515Randall Ford
Generated 114 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $5,825Anna Boxall
Generated 367 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,765Mark Carella
Generated 141 clicks and 18 gifts, totaling $3,717Victoria Mena
Generated 97 clicks and 7 gifts, totaling $3,560Sam Zarou
Generated 72 clicks and 21 gifts, totaling $3,260Katelyn Rood
Generated 204 clicks and 16 gifts, totaling $3,233
Advocates, you have until 10:00 p.m. CST to solidify your rankings. Good luck!
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 232
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Rizky Pratama – 29
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,338
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
Winners will be announced on May 1.
85 days ago by Pablo MoraLonghorns, this is the final sprint of 40 Hours for the Forty Acres!
Make your final gift now and help push us across the finish line at 10:00 p.m. CST.
Competing on a leaderboard? Every gift and share can still change the standings and this is your last chance to claim advocate incentives.
85 days ago by Pablo MoraFinal hour, Advocates! Nothing is locked in! Every share and every gift can still change the leaderboard. The top five advocates in each challenge earn extra match dollars for the designation of their choice.
Gift Count Leaders
1. Luke Mastrian – 231
2. Soh Nishiyama – 116
3. David Griffin – 59
4. Jacob – 38
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon – 25
Dollars Raised Leaders
1. Soh Nishiyama – $19,672
2. Luke Mastrian – $18,288
3. David Griffin – $11,414.60
4. Randall Ford – $5,675
5. Mark Carella – $3,717
One final update will be placed on the 40 for Forty site at 9:30 p.m. CST.
85 days ago by Pablo MoraHere’s where things stand right now in our Advocate Challenges. Every share and every gift counts, nothing is locked in yet. Remember that the top five advocates for each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Current Leaders
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 189 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 76 gifts
3. David Griffin - 48 gifts
4. Jacob - 27 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 23 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Soh Nishiyama - $13,950
2. Luke Mastrian - $13,428
3. David Griffin - $9,695
4. Randall Ford - $5,475
5. Mark Carella - $3,567
Huge thanks to our advocates who are pushing hard and setting the pace. Leaders, defend your spot as we make our way to the 10:00 p.m. CST finish line!
85 days ago by Pablo MoraWe’re excited to share a snapshot of the current standings in our two Advocate Challenges during 40 Hours for the Forty Acres. These rankings reflect where things stand right now and there’s still plenty of time to keep moving up! Remember that the top five advocates in each challenge get additional match dollars for a designation of their choice.
Advocate Challenge: Gift Count Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest number of gifts so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - 156 gifts
2. Soh Nishiyama - 35 gifts
3. David Griffin - 26 gifts
4. Jacob - 18 gifts
5. Leonard Ali Wako Memon - 15 gifts
Advocate Challenge: Dollars Raised Highlighting the advocates who have generated the highest cumulative dollars so far:
1. Luke Mastrian - $8,943
2. Soh Nishiyama - $5,960
3. David Griffin - $4,945
4. Randall Ford - $4,375
5. Emily Quigley - $2,376
A huge thank you to everyone who has already stepped up as an advocate. Your outreach, enthusiasm, and commitment are powering 40 Hours for the Forty Acres.
Keep sharing your links, keep spreading the word, and keep up the great work, we can’t wait to see how these leader boards shift as we approach the finish on April 30 at 10 p.m. CST!
86 days ago by Pablo Mora