Meaghan Rivera

During my time at FIU I had the opportunity to participate on a short Alternative Breaks trip. I attended the Panhellenic Alternative Breaks where we went to Calvary Chapel, a chapel located in Miami Beach. Calvary Chapel has a program where they help women who have been involved in prostitution. They have a hotline that women who have been sexually trafficked or prostituting can contact. They also spread awareness throughout Miami Beach. I had the chance to see what Calvary Chapel does first hand. The weekend consisted of a tour around Miami Beach of locations and areas where women were being prostituted. We also spend a few hours asking around local business in Miami if they have seen some of the women who have been reported missing. Later that evening we called women who are in this current situation and let them know they have a safe place they could come to. This experience was very eye opening because I usually go to Miami Beach to tan and have fun, I was never aware about the illegal activity that young women have to go through. I felt like I made a small impact by contacting these women to know that they are not alone in the world. I think that if you have the opportunity to be part of Alternative Breaks you should do it, you can make a small impact that can go a long way.