Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials,Habitat for Humanity builds and repairs low income housing at anaffordable rate. The family who will receive the house also assistsin the construction of their future home, according to Habitat forHumanity’s Web site.
To join the LSU chapter, one has to pay dues and fulfill threecredit opportunities. Participation in one event results in onecredit. Once becoming a Habitat member, there are numerousopportunities for fundraising and volunteer work.
Some of these activities include Up Til Dawn, which benefits St.Jude’s Children Hospital; Blitz Builds, which is a project inwhich Habitat members work to assist in the completion of severalhouses in just one week, and Saturday habitat workdays, which areannounced at meetings.
“We encourage students who want to be involved to becomemembers, though it is not required. However, members get prioritywhen volunteering to work on projects,” Jesse Guillory, aconstruction management senior and the University’s Habitatfor Humanity co-project manager, said.
Locally, the LSU Habitat Chapter works with the Baton RougeHabitat affiliate. This chapter works in East Baton Rouge, WestBaton Rouge, Iberville and Ascension parishes.
According to Guillory, this organization currently has projectsgoing on in the Cross Creek, Gardere Lane and White Castle areas.He said the University’s chapter mainly works on the projectin White Castle.
The University’s chapter also participates in a programcalled Collegiate Challenge, which involves assisting Habitatchapters in other states. Last spring they went to Dallas, Texas,and worked with a Texas Habitat affiliate, according to MichelleMartin, an art history and French junior and LSU’s Habitatfor Humanity media relations chair.
Those involved with Habitat for Humanity are volunteers whodedicate their time and energy to assist less fortunatefamilies.
“The people involved in this organization, at LSU andaround the country, are incredibly dedicated, focused and giving ofthemselves and their talent. Being surrounded by people like thathas a positive effect on anyone,” Martin said in ane-mail.
Guillory also said the experience has been enjoyable forhim.
“It has been great. An ‘A’ plus. Throughoutone semester you see an empty lot become a livable home. You get tosee first hand the fruits of your labor,” Guillory said.