Meghan O'Neil makes a difference during Alternative Spring Break

2018 Mar 30

Dozens of Rochester Institute of Technology students worked on community projects in Costa Rica, Texas and Florida during spring break.

Meghan O'Neil , a third-year biochemistry major from Danville, N.H., was one of 11 RIT students who spent their spring break in Beaumont, Texas, helping clean up following Hurricane Harvey last August. Flooding in some areas reached six feet, and the resulting mold has left many homes uninhabitable. “We went to an older woman’s house that was pretty much gutted and took her ceiling down for her. Her husband was bedridden and they were living in a trailer in their front yard. She didn’t have a lot of family who could help. She was so thankful for us,” O’Neil said. The group also cleared debris from yards and ditches. “There was broken glass and mirrors everywhere,” O’Neil said. “It felt like we accomplished something. It felt good that we were able to be productive and help people who were in need.”

RIT students have participated in Alternative Spring Break community projects for more than 10 years, said Kerry Foxx, director of RIT's Center for Leadership & Civic Affairs, which helped organize the trips for more than 30 students this year.

"Alternative Spring Break is a learning opportunity for us," Foxx said. "It's a chance to teach students how they can have an impact on different countries around the world and to get to interact with people from those communities. It fits in with RIT's mission to create global citizens."