Katie Chapman of Stafford, VA Spends Thanksgiving Break Serving Others

2012 Nov 28

Katie Chapman of Stafford, VA spent Thanksgiving break serving others as part of JMU's Alternative Thanksgiving Break program. Instead of returning home to family and friends and celebrating over turkey and mashed potatoes, Chapman joined a group of eight students who worked with Project Lazarus in New Orleans, La.

The Alternative Thanksgiving breaks planned by student leaders took place during JMU's Nov. 17–25 break. On the New Orleans trip students spent time with patients living with HIV/AIDS. Project Lazarus provides assisted living services to people with AIDS who are unable to live independently or do not have family that can take care of them. This residential facility focuses on enhancing its residents' quality of life by nurturing the mind, body and spirit in a homelike environment. As a group, the JMU students had the opportunity to interact and get to know the residents through cooking meals, attending health and wellness classes with them, tending to the garden and more.

JMU'S award-winning Alternative Break Program provides learning opportunities for students outside of the classroom where they focus on social issues by interacting with a local nonprofit, living simply and reflecting on the critical issues faced by the people they serve. Trips occur at Thanksgiving, spring break, in May and on various weekends throughout the year.

For information about JMU's Alternative Break Program, including an interactive map showcasing past service trips and Community Service-Learning, check http://www.jmu.edu/service/.

Chapman is majoring in health sciences and is scheduled to graduate in 2013.