Wanting to Serve: Spring Break 2014

There are several reasons why I wanted to go on (and organize) a spring break of service at Montevallo. I've been teaching in higher education for almost ten years, and I've never led or participated in any kind of direct service learning experience in any of my classes. When the opportunity to do so arose, I realized this was a great time to start.

Andrew Battista with Cromwell the Falcon, who will not be attending the trip

I've also always cared passionately about health care access, and I think it's our civic shame that almost one fifth of all U.S. citizens (47.3 million people who are non-elderly) have no health insurance coverage whatsoever, even though we have by far the most productive economy (if one uses GDP as a measure). The whole problem of access to health care dawned on me when I was working temporarily in a factory during one summer in my college years. A guy in the line next to me accidentally drilled a hole in his hand and he unleashed an epic stream of obscenities. He wasn't yelling because he was in pain, he told me, but rather that he was afraid the factory would make him claim workplace compensation for the injury and then eventually fire him because of his carelessness. He told me that he didn't have any health care coverage, and he said that he was already on thin ice financially because he developed appendicitis earlier in the year. The hospital bill was something a person working a near-minimum wage job could never pay.

The place we're going in Escambia County, AL is one of the most highly uninsured populations in the state. I'm glad we'll be able to talk with people and perhaps connect them with health care coverage they can actually afford. I look forward to the trip!

The Need for Healthcare Advocacy in Escambia County, AL

We're almost one month away from Spring Break. If you don't have any plans yet and are interested in serving other people, consider joining the 2014 Office of Service Learning and Sustainability Alternative Spring Break experience. This year we'll be traveling to Escambia County, AL to team up with BamaCovered, a grassroots healthcare advocacy group. The trip will take place during the week of March 24-28. We currently have about 5 spots left. If you're interested, please sign up here.

About the Trip 


Escambia County, AL is the second-most highly uninsured county in the state. According to the most recent American Community Survey 5-year estimate, 21.9 percent of its population does not have access to health care. The work we will do in partnership with Bama Covered will help hundreds of people find access to coverage under the provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.

Trip Details

• Availability: The trip is open to ten students on a first come, first served basis. To apply for the trip, please fill out this form.
• Cost: $250 per student. A deposit of $50 is due by March 3 and the full payment is due by March 14. Dates: We will leave Montevallo early on the morning of Monday, March 24 and return in the late afternoon of Friday, March 28. 
• Agenda: During the first three days, we will be facilitating access to health care in Escambia County, AL. Then, we will retreat to a beachfront property in Pensacola, FL for a time of reflection upon our service. 
• What’s included: Your trip fee includes transportation, lodging in Escambia County and Pensacola, and meals on the trip. You will need a small amount of money for miscellaneous meals and personal expenses. 
• Expectations: Our Alternative Spring Break trip will be a time of service, fun, learning, and reflection. You will be asked to complete a training session in preparation for the trip, and there will be several reflective exercises on our journey. The first training session is February 25, and anyone is welcome to attend.
• Leaders: Andrew Battista and Lauren Wallis of the Carmichael Library will lead our trip.