From Habitat for Humanity:
March Madness Continues on Habitat for Humanity Jobsite
Asheville, NC (March 17, 2016) – Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has experienced an influx of volunteer groups this month as college students opting for an “alternative spring break” have, and continue to come from all over the country to volunteer with the non-profit.
Most groups work mainly on Habitat’s construction site in West Asheville, but some also try their hand in the Habitat ReStore and on Habitat’s Home Repair sites.
This year Asheville Habitat is hosting three Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge groups, as well as a high school group from Michigan. Villanova University students were here last week, and this week, we have teams from Lesley University (MA) and Ramapo College of New Jersey (NJ). Next week, a team from Battle Creek Academy (high school) will join us.
Construction Services Volunteer Coordinator Stephanie Wallace noted, “We are thrilled that three Collegiate Challenge teams AND a high school group have signed up this year. This is a great mix of old and new with Villanova and Battle Creek Academy joining us for the first time, while Lesley University and Ramapo College of New Jersey are returning for the 5th time!”
Past participant and Lesley University student Audrey remarked, “Working with Habitat has been one of those experiences where you gain just as much as you give…One of the Core volunteers said something that stuck with me: ‘The people that do service are the type of people who I’d like to have as either close friends or neighbors’.’”
The groups stay at Blue Ridge Assembly in Black Mountain, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of the mountains with access to hiking trails nearby. Each group participates in a dinner with a Habitat partner family who is in-process, which allows the volunteers an opportunity to get to know the people they are helping through their volunteer labor.
Victoria from Ramapo College of New Jersey, another past participant, offered this reflection at the end of her alternative spring break with Asheville Habitat: “I think I really found myself by helping others, which is why when the partner families thank us, I just really wanted to thank them because without these opportunities to give back my life would be extremely different. Service has helped me find my passion and purpose in life and I’m so grateful for that.”
About Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity
Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity has provided more than 1,250 adults and children with safe, decent, and affordable housing through its home ownership and home repair programs since 1983. Habitat homes, which are Green Built NC certified, are sold at no-profit to partner families, who pay back a 0% interest loan. The non-profit also offers a home repair program for low-income homeowners. Learn more about Asheville Area Habitat by visiting ashevillehabitat.org.
Before you comment
The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.