|
|
|
|
Habitat youths building house |
|
|
Monday, 23 June 2008 |
A number of Saline County youths will put their hands to work building a house beginning Saturday, June 21.
The second annual Habitat for Humanity Youth United build will start at 8 a.m.
The house, which is for Wendy Beverleigh and her four daughters, will be the 30th home built by Habitat for Humanity of Saline County since its beginning in 1999 and the ninth house in Partnership Village.
Saturday’s ceremony will be a little different from previous groundbreaking ceremonies, said Karie Johnson, Youth United co-president along with Hannah Pheiffer.
“It’s a really neat ceremony where we will involve everyone by building a ‘house’ made out of people to represent where the house will actually stand and also the love and support that will be going into the house as we build it for her,” Johnson said.
The build will continue through Friday, June 27.
Terry Pheiffer, one of the Youth United advisers, said, “This is a great bunch of young people. They have great leadership skills and are committed to making this build happen.”
Youth United has raised more than $20,000 toward the cost of the house. “This is an enormous accomplishment for the Saline County youth,” Pheiffer said.
The group has held numerous fundraising events, including the Battle of the Bands and a sleep-over on the courthouse lawn to advocate for affordable housing.
The biggest funding source has been a $10,000 grant from Habitat International that the group has been working toward for the past few months, Johnson said. To receive the grant, the youth have to pass five phases, and they’ve made it through four so far.
Several local youth organizations have also held fundraisers for the youth build. First United Methodist Youth helped work Battle of the Bands the past two years, Johnson said. FUMC will also be donating the offering from the children’s Vacation Bible School this summer.
Other fundraisers include the Benton High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes’ dodge ball tournament, with proceeds going to Habitat and a Mounted Shooter’s competition recently held at the fairgrounds. The competition paid the Youth United group to help work the event.
The goal of the Youth United program is involving young people ages 5-25 in preparing for and actually building a home with a Habitat partner family, Johnson said. By having so many different events, they are trying to help keep a variety of age groups involved.
The group will also provide the leadership and organization for the build. “We want the kids to do it all,” said Bill Ridgeway, Habitat site supervisor.
“Adults will be there to show them what needs to be done and how, but they will build the entire house.”
Johnson added: “We’re in charge of the entire thing. It’s nerve-racking knowing you’re responsible for someone’s new home, a home they’ve been dreaming about. You don’t want to disappoint them. But that also gives us a great sense of joy and honor to make their dream a reality. Knowing I helped change someone’s life for the better is an amazing feeling that I wish other teenagers had the opportunity to experience. This is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.”
Johnson has been volunteering with Habitat since the eighth grade. She just graduated from Benton High School.
Only youths 16 and older can participate in the exterior construction of the home for safety reasons, but younger youth can paint, landscape, provide meals for the construction crews and help in many other ways, Johnson said. Church youth groups and other youth organizations are encouraged to participate, she added.
Several local businesses are supporting the teens. Phillips Moudy Duke Real Estate will continue its support by donating the water and Harvest Foods has donated cases of Gatorade for the construction crews. Big Red, Bryant Café, Smokey Joe’s, Dale’s Donuts, Riverside Grocery, Sonic Drive-In, Thomas Real Estate and FUMC youth will be providing meals for the crews throughout the week.
However, Youth United is still seeking support from local sub-contractors and suppliers to help with the build or donations of gifts-in-kind, Johnson said.
Johnson said Youth United also is teaming with the city of Benton in a promotion for its build with the city’s “Paint Your Heart Out” event June 30-July 2.
The events is a local city missions experience that is bringing together seven local churches in Benton to meet the needs of some of the local residents. They will work together for three days to paint, clean, scrub and serve the community.
|
|
|
|
Razorbacks
