by Jon Moskin
Picture this: you’re 21, grinding through one of the most competitive universities in the country. Spring break finally rolls around, and the typical options—Cancun, Key West, and everything in between—are calling. So, where do you go? If you’re a UCLA student in the Alternative Breaks program, the answer is unexpected and inspiring: the San Francisco Campus for Jewish Living.
Okay, so it’s not exactly a raging party, but if you ask any of this year’s cohort of Alternative Breaks volunteers, they’d be quick to tell you that their spring break service was one of the most profound experiences of their lives.
Alternative Breaks is a student-led UCLA-based program in which undergrads spend a week during their academic year breaks engaging in meaningful service in locations throughout the country. And for the last two years, our campus has been one of those locations.
“We had a great group of students this year, and they came from a variety of backgrounds, but typically on a healthcare pathway,” said SFCJL Director of Volunteer Services, Key Shade. “And we placed them in departments ranging from admissions to life enrichment, rehabilitation services, palliative care, and even memory care at the Frank Residences. They really did it all.”
And they did so on their spring break!
“It was really special for me to do something substantive with my peers,” said Lucy Lieu, a senior studying philosophy and political science. “But what made it so memorable was that every day was very different… And it was individualized, so one person in our cohort studying psychology was given the opportunity to work in the mental health department… And a physiology major was allowed to help residents with their daily rehab exercises… And we were also able to shadow the doctors and nurses. We were given so much access, which was wonderful, and there were very few constraints. They really took care of us.”
Indeed, that campus-wide access and desire to be of service in any way possible led to one of Lucy’s most meaningful encounters during her week on the campus.
“I asked if there was any specific person I could talk to who might benefit from extra attention, and everyone suggested a resident who was having a difficult time adjusting… So, we met, and I asked if he’d like to go for a walk. But he said he was tired, so we just talked. At first, it was just polite conversation. I asked about his life, but he quickly started asking about me: What I was studying, what I was going through, my struggle between studying STEM and humanities… And he encouraged me to pursue healthcare. So, I was there to help him, but he ended up helping me… And the next day, he asked if we could go for a walk. The nurses were so excited and told me that until then, they were really worried about him. And now he may be coming to LA with his family, so we can get together again.” … It was just a vivid impression of how deep a connection can be formed in such a short time. And I know a lot of my peers had similar stories.”
Those connections were made across the campus, from our residents to staff members to CEO, Dr. Adrienne Green, who spent an extended Q & A session with the entire Alternative Breaks contingent on the state of healthcare and the roles they may play within it.
“Partnerships like UCLA Alternative Breaks are extremely valuable and tap into our already rich tapestry of intergenerational programming,” said Key. “The connections created through such partnerships go a long way in helping promote dignity and respect between the generations, while simultaneously combatting isolation.”
“I’d definitely recommend this program,” Lucy said. “100 percent. We didn’t just make connections, but community as well. And I’ve come back each time feeling like a changed person. It’s hard to fathom until you actually go through it and realize what a difference we can make.”
