Ball State University's Student Voluntary Services

While many students were relaxing over Fall Break 2011, 16 Ball State students chose to spend their break serving the community in Louisville, Kentucky with Alternative Fall Break. We spent much of our time there organizing a warehouse and sorting through items, such as clothes, toys and office supplies that can be given to those in need.

Around 9,000 children in Louisville are homeless. As we walked the streets and stayed in a hotel that also serves as transitional housing, we realized the amount of poverty in this city. We also realized that we were making a difference.

And that is what SVS is all about. But it wasn't all work and no play! Each night we had free time to goof off and reflections on what we learned. We also had a free day where we got to explore Louisville. Some of the places we visited were the Science Center, the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, and the Muhammad Ali Center.

This was a very successful trip, in which we explored a new city, spent time with some amazing people and served others!

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." - Muhammad Ali