For most college students, spring break is a time to rest and recharge after a semester of hard work. For Howard University sophomore Milania Maurice, it was a chance to do something meaningful. 

Rather than heading home or relaxing on a beach, Maurice traveled from Washington, D.C., to Birmingham to spend her spring break volunteering with Live HealthSmart Alabama’s (LHSA) Mobile Market. 

She spent the week helping to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to neighborhoods across Birmingham and ultimately found new inspiration for her future career in health care. 

Maurice’s passion for health and nutrition

At Howard, Maurice is majoring in Health Science with double minors in Biology and Chemistry, on a pre-dental track. She is passionate about health care, nutrition, and building stronger communities — passions deeply rooted in her upbringing in New Jersey and strengthened by her experiences at Howard.

“Growing up, I witnessed how limited access to nutritious food and health care resources shaped the lives of those around me,” said Maurice. “That fueled my passion to advocate for equity and holistic wellness in underserved communities.”

“After researching the area, and when it came time to select an initiative and its corresponding service sites, I knew I wanted to focus on education and food stability. This became something I’m deeply passionate about, not only because of my personal experiences, but also because I believe addressing these needs is essential for building healthier, more empowered communities."

Since 1994, Howard University’s Alternative Spring Break Program has sent students to communities across the country to volunteer their time and gain a deeper understanding of underlying community needs This year, the program sent more than 1,300 students to serve in over 20 cities, including Birmingham, Alabama.

Maurice was originally set to volunteer at the Community Kitchens of Birmingham. Wanting to explore additional service opportunities in the area, Maurice came across Live HealthSmart Alabama’s website. She reached out to Kimberly Speights, executive director of the Community Kitchens and former LHSA team member. Speights helped connect Maurice with the LHSA team about volunteering. Reflecting on her decision to work with LHSA, Maurice explained that partnering with the organization allowed her team to “understand the importance of nutrition and food accessibility in a more equitable and sustainable way.”

After driving over 11 hours, she and her fellow Alternative Spring Break Program classmates settled into the SpringHill Suites at UAB, preparing for a week of service.

Although much of Maurice’s time was centered around LHSA’s Mobile Market, she and her peers spent their mornings mentoring students at local high schools, offering advice and encouragement to the next generation.

In the afternoons, she joined LHSA’s Mobile Market, a grocery store on wheels that stops in different communities across the city where residents can shop for fresh fruits, vegetables, and pantry staples that may otherwise be unavailable to them. This program is particularly valuable for residents in Alabama, where nearly two million people live in food deserts – areas with limited access to affordable, healthy food, often surrounded primarily by fast-food options.

Despite her limited experience with the Mobile Market, Maurice quickly stepped into a leadership role at their service stop that week: a senior citizen community.

Trina Holmes, LHSA Community Engagement Manager, who worked closely with Maurice during her volunteer week, said, “Milania stood out for her leadership, while she excelled at delegating responsibilities, she also maintained clear and effective communication with both her teammates and me as they supported the Mobile Market and wellness initiatives.”

“It’s inspiring to see such self-driven, well-rounded individuals who genuinely want to make a difference. Thanks to her efforts, we received an outpouring of gratitude and heartfelt appreciation from the residents at Faush Manor. I’m excited to continue this partnership and look forward to welcoming more bright, motivated students in the future,” added Holmes.

Through programs like the Mobile Market, LHSA works to make good health simple for all Alabamians, focusing on good nutrition, physical activity, prevention and wellness, and education, a mission that resonates deeply with Maurice.

While volunteering, Maurice saw firsthand how important accessibility can be. "It was amazing," she said. "The truck would open up, people would grab their groceries, and you could just see how impactful accessing food could be."

Maurice’s passion for service

The week also offered opportunities for personal growth. As a future dentist, Maurice knows leadership and communication are essential skills. By stepping up and leading a team during her volunteer work, she strengthened both.

"This experience reminded me that health care isn’t just about treatment,” she said. “It's about building trust, communicating, and uplifting people."

One moment that stood out to her was meeting a man celebrating his 70th birthday at the Mobile Market. His words of gratitude, appreciating volunteers like herself, left a lasting impression.

"I’m just smiling thinking about it," she said. "It was such a reminder of why we do this work."

Although this was her first time visiting Alabama, Maurice said she would absolutely return to volunteer again, noting that the southern hospitality she experienced here is something she’ll never forget.

Outside of their service projects, Maurice and her team also visited historic sites such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the A.G. Gaston Motel, and the 16th Street Baptist Church, which gave them a deeper understanding of Birmingham’s legacy.

Reflecting on the week, Maurice said the experience helped sharpen her sense of purpose – a commitment to health care, a desire to lead, and a belief in the power of service.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more about Live HealthSmart Alabama here.