Hannah Summers of Ellicott City participates in Alternative Spring Break trip

2016 Mar 15

Ellicott City, MD resident Hannah Summers spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Summers, a Media Arts & Design major, scheduled to graduate in 2016, traveled to Los Angeles, CA to volunteer with APLA & Being Alive.

The student-led ASB trips took place from March 5-12. Each trip focused on a social issue, such as homelessness, resettlement, environmentalism or community wellness, in a specific region. Almost 250 students embarked on 25 spring break trips around the country and world. The students spent the week living simply, focused on service in their destination community but also on teamwork and reflection within their group.

Working to support the HIV/AIDS community in Los Angeles, AIDS Project Los Angeles and Being Alive are two agencies founded on the principles of advocacy, outreach, and access to healthcare. APLA strives to provide equal access to healthcare to underserved communities, while Being Alive primarily focuses on promoting mental health and wellness, all to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. In LA, students worked with both agencies on outreach and advocacy efforts, along with community health education.

For information about JMU's award winning Alternative Break Program, visit www.jmu.edu/abp.