Thea Sideropoulos of Woodbury Participates in Alternative Spring Break Trip

2014 Apr 14

Woodbury, CT resident Thea Sideropoulos spent spring break serving others through James Madison University's Alternative Spring Break Program. Sideropoulos, a senior communication sciences and disorders major traveled to Masaya, Nicaragua to volunteer with Casa Nica.

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.

Casa-Nica works with the Nicaraguan people in a diverse array of project fields such as education, agriculture, sustainability, technology, and animal care. Students volunteered with a variety of these projects, including working with the local people and their agriculture to utilize the land in a more sustainable way. The group also worked with members of the community at an orphanage and a special needs organization.

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.