Megan Faulkner of San Antonio participates in Alternative Spring Break trip

2016 Mar 15

San Antonio, TX resident Megan Faulkner spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Faulkner, a Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies major, scheduled to graduate in 2016, traveled to Chicago, Ill. to volunteer with Heartland Health Outreach.

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.

Students took a leap of faith on this year's Mystery Break and ended up going to Chicago where they worked with Vital Bridges/Heartland Health Outreach. The organization is Chicago's only food, nutrition, housing and case management service for low-income Chicagoans with HIV or AIDS. Students received a holistic view of the food aspect of the service by sorting and packaging food in a warehouse, stocking shelves of a food pantry and filling food orders. The students also painted offices and performed other chores.

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