Lauren Kleifges of Sudbury Participates in Alternative Spring Break Trip

2015 Mar 24

Sudbury, MA resident Lauren Kleifges spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Kleifges traveled to San Juan, Texas to volunteer with LUPE (La Union del Pueblo Entero).

The student-led ASB trips took place from March 7-14. Each trip focused on a social issue, such as homelessness, resettlement, environmentalism or community wellness, in a specific region. Almost 300 students embarked on 23 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.

In 1989, César Chávez founded La Union del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), a foundation for advocacy on behalf of workers and the Latino community in the Rio Grande Valley alongside the U.S.-Mexico border. JMU students volunteered in colonias, low-income border neighborhoods, surveying community needs and working with Proyecto Azteca to refurbish and construct parts of housing units. They were able to learn about immigration reform and immigrant rights during local house visits.

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