On Saturday, Feb. 27, 33 York College students boarded a bus to begin their winter break in Florida. This wasn't your average "stay up all night and sleep all day" kind of break though: these students were preparing for a week of physical labor with Collegiate Challenge, Habitat for Humanity's alternative spring break program that gives students the opportunity to visit one of the 250 host affiliates throughout the United States, spending a week working with the local affiliate, the local community, and partner families to help eliminate poverty housing in the area.
This year the York College chapter of Habitat for Humanity had the opportunity to participate in Collegiate Challenge during the week of Feb. 27 through March 6. Our group chose to work with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami because, although Miami may seem like an area of wealth and tourist attractions, it is actually one of the poorest cities in the nation, stricken by poverty and devastation from natural disasters.
During our week-long stay in Homestead, Fla., a small city about 30 miles south of Miami, we were provided housing at Camp Freedom. After arriving at the camp on Sunday afternoon and spending the evening settling in, we woke up early the following morning to attend an orientation about safety on the work site, an overview of the jobs we would have, and the mission of Habitat for Humanity and Collegiate Challenge.
For the rest of the week, we continued to wake up early so we could begin working on the site as soon as possible. Our workdays lasted from 7:30 in the morning until 3:30 in the afternoon. The community we worked in was Shrader's Haven, a 22-lot neighborhood composed entirely of homes built by Habitat for Humanity. Throughout the week, York College students were assigned a variety of tasks on four different houses, all at different stages in the building process. Many students became very familiar with a hammer. They spent much of their time building and installing framework inside the houses so that drywall could later be added, reinforcing the roof and ceiling frames by attaching metal brackets for stability, and securing sheets of plywood and fascia to the roof.
Students worked together to lift the plywood onto the roofs, hang and secure drywall to form walls, carry wood and materials to houses as needed, and even break up large rocks and transplant a 10-foot tree so that an electrical pole could be installed. Each group worked under the guidance and supervision of local, experienced Habitat members, and some groups were fortunate enough to work with a few of the future homeowners.
As someone who has participated in York College's Collegiate Challenge for the past three years, I can say that meeting the homeowners and being a part of this event is truly a gratifying and unforgettable experience. It is an amazing feeling to know that you are helping to literally put a roof over someone's head, and when you actually get to meet the family who will be living in the house and you see how incredibly thankful they are, there is nothing but joy and satisfaction.
I have personally chosen to participate in Collegiate Challenge year after year because it is always guaranteed to be a fun and fulfilling experience. I love meeting new people in each location, forming new friendships with fellow YCP students, experiencing different cultures and areas, learning new skills, and most importantly, being able to give back to families and communities that need help.
My first Collegiate Challenge experience as a sophomore in March 2008 sent me to New Orleans. Three years after Hurricane Katrina tore through the area, there was still a tremendous amount of work to be done and an obvious need for continued support and assistance. Riding through the city and seeing the groups of now-homeless children and adults made me realize how devastating the hurricane had been, and encouraged me to continue working to provide suitable housing for families whenever possible.
In all of the cities that I have gone to for Collegiate Challenge, the gratitude expressed by the homeowners and local community is simply unbelievable. Working with Habitat for Humanity is an immensely rewarding experience that has provided me with memories that will last a lifetime. Knowing that I have helped to give a family a good house and a fresh start – there is no feeling like it.
by Jennifer Wheeler ’ 10 (Sykesville, Md.)
"I love Habitat for Humanity. I am a member of our Campus Chapter because the sensation of volunteering and giving back to my community excites me beyond belief. I love knowing that I can help people who are less fortunate than me, and I can do this by getting dirty, using my girl power and getting a workout! Working on the construction site makes me feel empowered and motivated, knowing that I have taken the time out of my day (or my winter break) to do something fun, charitable and out of the ordinary."
– Kristi Wanamaker '10 (Coplay, Pa.)
Pictured: A few of the "roof crew" members pose for a quick picture before climbing back up to continue nailing down plywood and metal brackets on the roof beams (from l to r): Jennifer Wheeler '10 (Sykesville, Md.), Suzanne Taylor '10 (Sykesville, Md.), Samantha Morrison '12 (Sicklerville, N.J.), Sara Phillips '11 (New Freedom, Pa.), Tiffany Jordan '10 (Havre de Grace, Md.) and Jennifer Shuchart '11 (New Freedom, Pa.).
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