Early Saturday, March 22, five students left for Lynchburg, Va., for the alternative spring break to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and to participate in the Collegiate Challenge.
The Collegiate Challenge is partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help students and other volunteers practice their skills with carpentry and construction skills with instruction from experienced construction supervisors, even if they have never held a hammer.
While most of the participants did not know each other, the eight-hour bus ride to get there helped familiarize them with the people they would be teaming up with later on.
The participants consisted of Michelle Kummer, secondary education sophomore, Steven Futter, secondary education sophomore, Brittany Scifres, elementary education freshman, Jonathan Stephens, Kayla Goodson, political science freshman and Jen Crompton, assistant director of Residence Life.
The house construction was located in a downtown area but the group was housed in a nearby church.
“We witnessed a fight when we first got there,” Goodson said. “You really need to be flexible, you never know what you’ll be doing, and don’t expect first class.”
After an orientation, the whole group was divided in two. One group was designated for working on the roof and the other for electrical wiring.
“I’d never picked up a hammer before this, it gave me a chance to work on my carpentry skills,” Goodson said about being part of the roofing crew. Despite some initial troubles and inexperience, all participants enjoyed the break despite the challenges it posed.
“At first it was very difficult, but after half the day, we just started rocking and rolling with the wires,” Kummer said.
Even with a day of rain, the house was completed on Thursday without any major delays or issues and inspected Friday.
“It went flawlessly, no major or even minor problems,” Kummer said.
The groups also worked side by side with the future homeowner and one of her sons.
Upon completion, a celebration ceremony dinner was held to award the house and thank the volunteers.
“I felt like I actually did something on break,” Scifres said.
All the IUS participants said they agreed the trip was amazing, well worth the time and that it changed their outlooks on community.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity, not to get out and just do something meaningful, but a life changing experience,” Scifres said. “It gave me a better sense of what the community needs and how much we take the small things for granted.”
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity is recognized as the largest alternative break entity in the U.S.
It occurs throughout the year at different locations with different universities participating each University of Chicago had five students that volunteered to help at the Lynchburg location as well.
“Even if you don’t want to go, you do. It changes your whole outlook,” Scifres said.
The IUS participants were able to make the trip with the aid through grants by the Lumina foundation and Southeast Scholars.
By GRACE STAMPER
Staff Writer
gstamper@ius.edu