The United Way Alternative Fall Break is an immersive four day program of service projects, leadership-building, and relationship-building. It provides students the chance to make an impact on their local community and learn more about the challenges and opportunities facing Rutherford and Cannon Counties.

The inaugural program took place October 3 - 6, 2017. Participating students toured United Way partner programs throughout the community, then participated in activities supporting health, financial stability, and education focus areas. Activities consisted of cleaning and organizing children's areas, building window headers for homes, coding books for summer libraries, harvesting and closing a community garden and manicuring a Girl Scout camp site.

"I was honored to work with such a dedicated group of students, all passionate about giving back to their community," said McKenna Moore, United Way Director of Strategic and Volunteer Engagement. "The students came from different high schools and varying grade levels, and they focused on working together effectively and efficiently to make a viable difference for five partner nonprofits and their clients."

Participating students include:

Saira Arevalo - Smyrna High School

Melissa Barrett - Central Magnet School

Armani Cross - LaVergne High School

Brianna Davies - Blackman High School

Amy Lin - Blackman High School

Brian Son - Central Magnet School

Julia Son - Central Magnet School