Washington, D.C., March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Saturday, March 7, more than 1,300 Howard University students will forgo a “traditional” Spring Break to spend the week serving communities across the country. More than 27 busloads of students will depart to complete over 100,000 hoursof service, fulfilling projects such as mentoring and tutoring youth, conducting college readiness presentations, rebuilding homes, greenhouse sowing and environmental conservation, supporting food pantries, and helping restore neighborhoods in more than 22 citiesnationwide.
The Howard University Alternative Spring Break (HUASB) program is celebrating 32 years of service to communities across the nation. This year’s theme, “Service with Impact: Empowering Communities & Dismantling Disparities,” reflects students’ commitment to addressing systemic inequities and creating everlasting change.
"Through a willingness to apply their values and commit to service during this critical time, our HUASB student leaders are not only impacting communities across the nation, but they are changing narratives and inspiring others to serve and lead,” says Benard L. Richardson, Ph.D., dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel.
HUASB is the nation’s premier service-learning initiative-- the largest collegiate service program offered at no cost to participating students. As part of the program’s unique approaches to student leadership development, HUASB is completely student-led. It has served as a national service-learning model for other universities, uplifting countless communities across the country and around the world.
| WHAT | HUASB Departure Day Event |
| WHEN | Saturday, March 7 |
| WHERE | Cramton Auditorium, Howard University 2455 6th Street, NW Washington, DC 20059 |
| WHAT | HUASB Service National Programs in Various Cities |
| WHEN | Saturday, March 7 – Saturday, March 14 |
| WHERE | Participants will depart Howard University to travel to more than 20 cities, highlighting a variety of service projects including those listed below. |
| City | Partnering Organization | Service Project |
| Atlanta, GA | Fountain Of Hope Service Date: March 12 William M. Boyd Elementary School Service Date: March 9-13 Department of Parks and Recreation Service Date: March 11-12 | Youth Holistic Wellness and Developing Pathways to Food and Housing Stability |
| Asheville, NC | My Daddy Taught Me That Service Date: March 9-12 Asheville Peak Academy Service Date: March 9-13 Delta House Life Development of Asheville Service Date: March 9-12 | Youth Holistic Wellness |
| Baltimore, MD | Holistic Life Foundation Service Date: March 11-12 Bay Brook Elementary/Middle School Service Date: March 9-13 Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle School Service Date: March 9-13 | Restorative Justice and Community Development |
| Charlotte, NC | Hope For Harvest Service Date: March 10-12 Zealous Empowering Nurturer Service Date: March 11 | Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability |
| Chicago, IL | Chicago Youth Centers - Sidney Epstein Youth Center Service Date: March 9-12 Juvenile Temporary Detention Center Service Date: March 10-11 Perspectives/IIT Math & Science Academy - Perspectives Charter Schools Service Date: March 9-13 | Youth Empowerment and Restorative Justice |
| Detroit, MI | Stevenson Elementary School Service Date: March 9-10 and March 12-13 Midnight Golf Program Service Date: March 11-12 Driven By Growth Service Date: March 9-10 and March 12-13 | Developing Pathways to Housing Stability and Youth Holistic Wellness |
| Washington, D.C. | Nineteenth Street Baptist Church Service Date: March 7 East Capitol Urban Farm Service Date: March 9-12 Anacostia Highschool Service Date: March 9-13 Martha’s Table Service Date: March 11-12 Community Development Faith Exploration Service Date: March 9 | Youth Empowerment and Developing Pathways to Food Stability |
A more detailed view of media-ready service sites can be found HERE .
- To request an interview, B-roll or cover the event please contact: mediarelations@howard.edu
- For visitor parking information on March 7, visit Campus Parking | Office of Auxiliary Enterprises.
About Howard University
Howard University, established in 1867, is a leading private research university based in Washington, D.C. Howard’s 14 schools and colleges offer 140 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree programs and lead the nation in awarding doctoral degrees to African American students. The top-ranked historically Black college or university (HBCU) according to Forbes, Howard is the only HBCU ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s Top 100 National Universities and the only HBCU classified as an R1 research institution, indicating the highest level of research spending and doctoral production. Renowned for its esteemed faculty, high achieving students, and commitment to excellence, leadership, truth and service, Howard produces distinguished alumni across all sectors, including the first Black U.S. Supreme Court justice and the first woman U.S. vice president; Schwarzman, Marshall, Rhodes and Truman Scholars; prestigious fellows; and over 165 Fulbright recipients. Learn more at www.howard.edu.
Carol Wilkerson Howard University 202-288-7071 mediarelations@howard.edu
