HABITAT FOR HUMANITY CAMPUS CHAPTERS AND COLLEGIATE CHALLENGE BRING STUDENT VOLUNTEERS TO ST. AUGUSTINE DURING SPRING BREAK

First Christian Church Youth Group, Salem, VA
During spring break each year, high school and college groups from around the country build with Habitat affiliates. This year, two groups participated with our affiliate. In March, a group of 21 high school students from First Christian Church in Salem, Virginia, arrived in St. Augustine. Six of the students worked with Habitat installing windows, putting up siding and nailing shingles. The other 15 students built a deck for the Homeless Coalition.

Rev. Daniel Netting, the groups sponsor, said, “...Thanks for giving our youth the chance to put their gifts and talents to work. Everyone loved Gary Peterson and his patience with the group. Karen Hunsicker was so kind and willing to help in any way—so can we come back next year?”

Bartram Trail High School
In 1987 Habitat for Humanity created Campus Chapters to encourage young people to productively and responsibly become involved in the work of Habitat. Our affiliate is fortunate to have the Campus Chapter of Bartram Trail High School participate with our mission.

Pedro Menendez High School
Students and teachers in Pedro Menendez’ Construction Technology classes have committed to build a two bedroom, one bath home for one of our elderly partners this year. Students dug the footers and helped to pour the foundation in February and have since framed and roofed the house located in West Augustine. The students are from the masonry, drafting and carpentry classes and gain valuable hands-on-experience during the build. The classes are part of the school’s Career Pathways electives, allowing students to learn skills for future employment.

First Coast Technical Institute
First Coast Technical Institute students, under the direction of teacher, David Mueller, are pre-fabricating the exterior walls for the All-Women Built Home. This is the first time the school has partnered with Habitat in this way, though students and teachers have participated in on-site construction. “This provides an excellent real-life experience in actual home building and processes of construction,” said Mr. Mueller. The All-Women Built home should be completed by the end of the summer. The Florida School for the Deaf and Blind The Dragon Industries, a vocational program of the school, provides a work experience for the students. They volunteer to collate, fold, seal and address newsletters for various organizations, including our quarterly HabiChat. The students also participated in the Aluminum Can Recycling Program last year. Other Area Schools Participating Volunteering at the building sites and in other areas are students from St. Joseph Academy and Flagler College. Northland College, Ashland, WI, Students Arriving mid-March, eight students from Northland College completed the framing of a four bedroom home being built for a family now living in homeless coalition housing. The students were house guests of Diane Quick, Executive Director.