2008 Biloxi ABCs

Check-in is from 11am to 2pm on Saturday, June 21 at the Hands On Gulf Coast facility. The first session begins at 3pm. The training ends at noon on Friday, June 27. Please make flights which accommodate the start and end times of the conference!

As you will see on the sample schedule link below and much like with an alternative break, there is little free time to explore the city during the conference week. If you would like to come early or extend your stay in Biloxi, please let the Break Away staff know as soon as possible. We may be able to arrange for you to stay at the Hands On facility extra nights.


Issue Focus: Rebuilding Democracy
Participants will continue the dedicated work of countless volunteers rebuilding the Gulf Coast, in a unique coupling of construction projects with Hands On Gulf Coast and work with Voter Registar to encourage voting in marginalized areas.


Direct Service Projects: ABCs participants will engage in volunteer work focused on community revitalization and voter registration. Our community partners (see below) will provide a wide range of education on the issues and broad exposure to the local community.


Hands on Gulf Coast: The majority of our work with Hands On will involve debris removal, house gutting, and other construction projects to continue the hurricane relief effort on the gulf coast.
Voter Registar: Participants will work on a variety of tasks, which may include: canvassing neighborhoods to register and encourage voting and civic engagement in underrepresented areas, conducting research related to poll readiness and registration efforts, voter education, and training of voter registrars and poll watchers.


Housing: Participants will be housed in the Hands On Gulf Coast building. It is a communal living facility - bathrooms, showers, and dining areas are shared. ABCs participants will be the only group in the building and true to an alternative break, all volunteers will be sleeping in bunk beds in one open space. There will be quiet hours, assigned personal bunks, and divisions in the quarters between men and women.


Transportation: It is the participant's responsibility to arrange and pay for transportation to and from the conference. Participants flying to the ABCs should plan to fly into the Biloxi-Gulfport International Airport. All transportation needs during the conference (starting at 3pm July 21 to noon on July 27) will be provided by Break Away.

Directions from the Airport:

Head southeast - 0.5mi

Education: The Learning Components (Education, Orientation, and Training) are essential to a quality alternative break experience. After registering, you will be added to a listserv and will be invited to join a Facebook group for your ABCs session. Pre-conference education materials will be available through these venues and on the website prior to the event. Links will soon be provided below. Participants will also receive extensive on-site education, including the Speaker Panel, Community Dinner, additional readings, Movie Night, discussion groups, and activities at the service projects.


Special Rules for the Biloxi ABCs: It is required to wear work boots or heavy hiking boots when working on volunteer projects. Work clothes will likely be ruined by the end of the week - so bring ones that you don't like. It is also highly recommended to volunteer with Hands On that you have a current vaccination for Tetanus - within five years is the specific recommendation for those who live and work on the Gulf Coast.

Participant's Confirmation Letter: Within ten days of registration and no later than June 3rd participants should receive a confirmation letter by email. Pre-conference materials will be updated periodically on this website.

• Sample Schedule
• Participant Waiver
• Site Leader Waiver