FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 31, 2007
Contact: Joshua Hollis
662-329-7119

Hearin Leadership Students help renovate houses in Jackson

COLUMBUS, Miss – Members of the Hearin Leadership Program at Mississippi University for Women recently traveled to Jackson to assist with several housing renovation projects as part of the Hearin Alternative Break.
 
The fifty-two students worked with a group called MadCAAP (Madison Countians Allied Against Poverty), and, in their weekend there, painted the interior and exterior of one house and the exterior of 2 other homes, as well as gutting and painting a house that had been burned and helping roof another.

While in Jackson, the group stayed at the First Baptist Church of Ridgeland.
Wahnee Sherman, coordinator of the Hearin Leadership Program, said, “Over the last few years we have been taking students out for a weekend of service work. Again this year, the students were amazing because they worked so hard to help people they didn’t even know. This trip teaches students the importance of helping others. Alternative Break changes the lives of the people we help as well as changing the lives of our students as they learn more about making a difference in the lives of others.”

Josh Kemp, a junior Business Management major, said he thought the trip to Jackson was a “great experience.” He said that through doing community service, he said he has been able to give back to those people less fortunate than he.

“It’s a great feeling . . . to give back to the community,” said Kemp.

Senior Pre-Physical Therapy major Haley Cochran, who has been an active Hearin member for four years, said that Hearin is beneficial for students because it “provides a family away from home.” Cochran said she has made friends for life through the program.

The Hearin program requires that all Hearin scholarship recipients maintain a 2.5 GPA overall, enroll in a leadership class each year, receive 30 hours of community service, and attend monthly and social events put on by the Hearin Program. Other leadership positions include Hearin Council, which plans the Hearin activities each year, and the Hearin Intern who works with Sherman to organize and coordinate the program.

For more information about Hearin, contact Sherman at 662-329-7355 or visit www.muw.edu/hearin.