Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps build and rehabilitate homes for people who are unable to get conventional home financing. The organization, founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller, has more than 2,100 affiliates in 100 countries.
"Habitat has a long history of making housing affordable to those people who cannot normally afford housing in today's market because of the free labor provided by volunteers," Bobby Wassel, campus minister with the Catholic Newman Center, said.
One of those affiliates is here in St. Louis. Located on Forest Park Avenue, it provides volunteer opportunities for individuals as well as groups or schools. The Newman Center offers UM-St. Louis students an opportunity to participate as a group on the first Friday of every month.
Father Bill Kempf said that during his first year at the Newman Center, "We offered an alternative spring break." Instead of the usual college partying students were able to spend their vacation donating their time to service opportunities. On one of those days the students volunteered with Habitat and this was, "very well-received," Kempf said.
The following year there was once again an alternative spring break, but this time the group volunteered at Habitat for two days.
Things began to take shape when a group of students sponsored by the Newman Center visited Nazareth Farm, which is a Catholic service retreat located in the Appalachians of West Virginia. Volunteers spend a week living on a rural farm and during their days visit local homes in the community that are in need of repair.
Jess Kuenzel, senior, biology, went on the Nazareth Farm trip and said that upon returning the other students and she were very excited about making Habitat a regular part of the Newman Center's activity. Former service chair Mike Rogan was leading the initiative, she said.
Beginning with the 2003-2004 academic year it became a monthly event for the center. Students from the Newman Center often recruit other volunteers by setting up informational tables on the MSC bridge. They explain about the organization's mission and take signatures for those people interested in coming out.
"It's a one time commitment," Kempf said, "It's a very doable act of service students can fit into their schedule."
Kuenzel spoke highly of her experiences volunteering for Habitat and said that "I've learned more about construction from helping out with Habitat than I have from dating a construction worker for a number of years."
However, it's not just volunteer work that builds the homes. Those people who will be living in the home once it is completed have to donate their own "sweat equity," as part of the process.
Kempf said it gives the people who will be living in the homes a sense of pride to be part of the effort to build their own home.
"One of the great things about working for Habitat is when I work in the same neighborhood and see people living in a house I helped build the month before," Kuenzel said.
Wassel, who also served as a staff member at Nazareth Farm before coming to UM-St. Louis, recalled having participated in Habitat when he was in a high-school youth group.
"We built a wall frame and then everyone lifts the wall and sets it in the foundation. It was a great memory to see 15 people spread across the frame we just built and setting it into place," Wassel said.
The monthly day of service is open to all students and not just those who are members of the Newman Center. Students interested in participating can call 314-385-3455 for more information.
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