A group of 10 University of Illinois Springfield students will spend their spring break making homes warmer, safer and drier in Jonesville, Virginia, as part of the Prairie Stars Service Trip.

The students will depart UIS on March 8 and volunteer for one week before returning to Springfield on March 14. They will work with Appalachia Service Project, a nonprofit organization that coordinates volunteers to repair and replace homes for low-income families at no cost to the homeowners.

The students will help with a variety of construction projects, such as building wheelchair ramps, repairing roofing and flooring and painting. They will stay in bunk-style facilities with other schools participating in service trips and will learn about the local region through activities hosted by Appalachia Service Project.

“Spending my spring break repairing homes is such a heartwarming experience,” said Cassie Goudreau, a UIS student participating in the trip. “It brings me so much joy making a positive impact on the lives of local families.”

The Prairie Stars Service Trip, organized by the UIS Volunteer and Civic Engagement Center, is one of several initiatives at UIS aimed at fostering community engagement and service-learning opportunities for students.