SRU students’ head to Braddock for a Mini CareBreak

A group of Slippery Rock University students will spend the night at the Carnegie Free Library in Braddock as part of an April 15-17 Mini CareBreak. The library has been registered as a National Historic Landmark.

April 13, 2016

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa - A group of Slippery Rock University students will "take it to the streets" of Braddock April 15-17 for a community service Mini CareBreak. Students will volunteer their time to board up vacant houses, plant flowers and build seats at Recycle Park. They will sleep at the Carnegie Free Library during their weekend of service.

Braddock, a blighted community east of Pittsburgh that is in the process of revitalization, is home to 2,159 residents, according to the U.S Census of 2010.

"There will be 24 students on this trip. I will be leading the trip the whole time," said Emily Murasso, a psychology major from Staten Island, New York.

Murasso said students would work directly with the North Braddock Fire Dept. to help "make Braddock beautiful again."

"This is my third year doing this Mini CareBreak," Murasso said. "This is the largest group of students we have ever taken for the program, and we hope to see the numbers double next year."

The Mini CareBreak, sponsored by SRU's Center for Student Involvement and Leadership, ties in with the University's emphasis on providing students with transformational experiences. Beginning this semester, CSIL is refining its focus to align student volunteer opportunities with the Clinton Global Initiative's five focus areas: education, environment, human rights, poverty alleviation and public health.

"It is a huge accomplishment to be able to have such a large event with so many students taking the time to see that volunteering can be fun and internally fulfilling," Murasso said.

The National Residence Hall Association will provide transportation to Braddock.