The CHIMES

Issue date: 3/5/10 Section: News

"Poverty is a growing problem that faces not only Third-world countries, but also hits home in the land of the free. In America citizens are promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," says Jonathan Rodriguez, a criminal justice major and former participant with Habitat for Humanity.

Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller. They work with volunteers to build homes or restore old damaged buildings for people in need. Donated materials and funds are used to help the needy. This organization has built over 300,000 homes in more than 80 countries. This non-profit Christian organization allows low- income people to own affordable, livable housing.

According to the Habitat for Humanity Web site, there are about two billion people around the world who live in slum housing and over 100 million who are homeless. Families are trapped in a daily struggle to survive and many live in inhumane living conditions. The organization Habitat for Humanity believes that every man, woman and child should have a safe and affordable place to live.

Mariecarmel Bernard holds the ladder steady as Regina Laws adds siding to a house they worked on last year during the Habitat for Humanity trip in Virginia. Last year 13 students attended the trip, this year nine will be attending during spring break. Photo courtesy of Amy Buckley

"People should get involved more," says Regina Laws, human performance major. "Habitat for Humanity offers people the chance to help and change the world one step at a time," she continues.

MSC is attempting to make a difference in many different ways. Habitat for Humanity was introduced to the college by area coordinator for the pond area and Resident Director Amy Buckley. Last year was the first time the college participated in Habitat for Humanity. Thirteen students including two staff members went to the Habitat sight in Danville, VA. Some projects the group worked on were gutting out houses, siding an entire house and adding a porch. "There was nothing really on the house when we first got there," Buckley says. The group that went last year went by the name of '14 Degrees.' They received funding from the Sheila Johnson Institute, which helps tackle the health and educational needs of poor familes, a CAB grant, can drives and penny wars.

In the past, the school had alternative spring break programs only for RAs, but Buckley said she didn't think that was fair. "I wanted to bring something to the campus open to the whole community, so everyone had the opportunity to help change the world," she says. This year nine students will be going on the Spring Break Habitat for Humanity trip, for some of these students it will be their second consecutive trip.

Habitat for Humanity is a world leader in addressing the issues of poverty housing. Once properties are finished being rebuilt, they are sold to participating families at no profit and are financed with no-interest mortgages. The money from the mortgage payments are used to finance the building for more housing.

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