The Student Trips and Transformations (STAT) program is a new service-oriented group that started in Spring 2016 at Bellin College. STAT is an alternative break program giving students the opportunity to engage in off-campus experiences in communities. These experiences involve working with vulnerable people, while, at the same time, helping students become active citizens and, in the future, professional leaders. The program offers students a chance to travel to local, regional, and national locations where they are challenged to both provide service and reflect on those experiences in order to grow personally and professionally. Participants are equipped with leadership skills, exposed to new perspectives, and ultimately gain a broader understanding of the concepts of social justice and community partnership.
In January 2016, a group of 10 Bellin College students and faculty member Ms. Deb Lidbury traveled to the south side of Chicago to do a week of service. The group worked with the Port Ministries, United Human Service Center (food pantry), the Chicago Food Depository, and SuCasa (a shelter for women and children). The students participated in a broad variety of activities – the numbers tell the story. The students collectively accumulated 307 hours of service. They prepared 160 sandwiches; made dinner for 50 people at a women’s shelter; sorted 62 bags of clothing to be handed out; packed and sorted 24,777 pounds of food at the Chicago food depository; served 133 meals at a soup kitchen; passed out 120 bags of food at a food pantry; served 500 meals on a bread truck; sorted 100 bags of food; and assisted in offering free healthcare at Port Ministries Free Clinic.
STAT is currently working with the Brown County Homeless & Housing Coalition to do community outreach in the Green Bay area.