Habitat for Humanity
The Department of Residential Life has partnered with Greater Springfield's Habitat for Humanity to provide civic engagement opportunities to Westfield State University students.
Every Winter and Spring Break Westfield State University sends groups of 10-12 students across the nation to build houses through Habitat for Humanity. Last year we sent students to Exmore, VA, Lebanon, PA, and York, PA. Every site provides a unique experience of local culture and quality, and hands-on construction. During the trip, construction on a work site may range from framing and roofing new houses to doing landscaping and renovations on older homes. On-site construction supervision is provided and building experience is NOTnecessary. Each student is responsible for raising around $300 to attend a trip. The money covers all meals, lodging, transportation, and building materials on site. Fundraising is made possible through Dawn Whitehill, Accountant for the Office of Residential Life. She works hard with each student to ensure the money is raised and account for.
Habitat for Humanity International is a non-profit faith-based housing organization that has built more than 150,000 houses worldwide since 1976. Habitat relies on donated funds and volunteer labor to provide homes for the working poor across the United States and throughout the world. The Westfield State University group assists at Habitat sites both locally and nationally. On the national level, the Westfield group participates in "Collegiate Challenge," which allows groups of students to spend spring break working with Habitat affiliates at various sites in the United States.
Collegiate Challenge is an exciting program that allows thousands of college students to use their breaks to travel to exciting destinations across the country to build homes with Habitat for Humanity. Participation in Collegiate Challenge enables students to put their faith in action, to build partnerships with people sharing a common goal, to gain greater awareness of the need for decent and affordable housing, and to deepen their commitment to social action. Through hands on construction, students work toward eliminating poverty housing from the world.
Students are often amazed by the closeness of a group at the end of the trip. After a week of learning new skills and working hard alongside other students, you’ll find closeness between yourself and the other participants that can only be forged in the process of working together to help others. Participation in a Habitat for Humanity Spring Break trip is open to everyone who would like to dedicate their break to helping build housing with those in need, while having a great time doing it. Students wishing to participate will need to fill out an application that will be posted soon. If you would like to get involved please look for flying and emails during the first semester. You can also email me directly at kfisher@westfield.ma.edu.
Kevin Fisher is the current Residence Director of Lammers Hall and has been a member of the Residential Life team for over two years. He has worked with the Habitat for Humanity trips during that time and is a great resource for students interested in participating in this opportunity. You can contact Kevin by visiting him in his Lammers Hall office located just off the main lobby, by e-mailing him at kfisher@westfield.ma.edu, or by calling (413) 572-5533.