Rashidah Burns of Richmond Participates in Alternative Spring Break Trip

2014 Apr 14

Richmond, VA resident Rashidah Burns spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Burns, a sophomore nursing major traveled to Winter Park, Fla. to volunteer with Heart of Florida United Way.

The student-led ASB trips took place from March 8-15. Each trip focused on a social issue, such as homelessness, resettlement, environmentalism or community wellness, in a specific region. Almost 300 students embarked on 30 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.

The students on this trip worked with the Center for Multicultural Student Services. While in Florida the group worked on a variety of daily projects aimed at helping people in need in Orlando. Projects ranged from painting, playing with kids, cooking, serving food, tutoring, building and more. The students lived on a $6 a-day budget and truly got to experience a different way of life while seeing the world in a different light.

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