Spring Breakers Building Homes
Each spring, students from across the country travel to Habitat affiliates for their spring break as part of Habitat for Humanity’s “Collegiate Challenge.” Throughout its 19-year history, Collegiate Challenge has sent more than 155,000 students to build Habitat houses. During this time, students have raised more than $14.6 million through the program.
12,000 students signed up in 2008 to participate in Collegiate Challenge opportunities at 210 affiliates across the country. Major Collegiate Challenge site locations included Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
- "While many of their peers are relaxing on a beach somewhere these students are putting in hundreds of hours of hard work for Habitat’s Collegiate Challenge," said Hannah Wickline, VISTA member and youth programs coordinator for Habitat Wake in March 2008. "By the end of the week, not only have the students learned how to build a house, they’ve also seen how their actions can help improve people’s lives by providing safe, decent affordable shelter through a Habitat for Humanity home."
Students volunteering for Habitat Wake in 2008 came from:
- Brown University (RI)
- Hartwick College (NY)
- Milwaukee School of Engineering (WI)
- Syracuse University (NY)
- University of Chicago (IL)
- University of Maryland (MD)
- Ursinus College (NJ)
- “It is amazing what can happen in just one week. Students are able to help a family get closer to realizing the dream of homeownership while also experiencing the excitement of traveling to a new place, learning new skills and spending time with friends,” said Alynn Woodson, Associate Director of Youth Programs for Habitat for Humanity International. “Few programs give participants the chance to make such a tangible, meaningful difference in the lives of others like Collegiate Challenge does.”
In 2008, Collegiate Challenge students contributed $1.5 million to help build houses. Contributiones were raised by hosting events, conducting letter-writing campaigns and receiving grants from their schools. Read more in Habitat for Humanity International's Frameworks (PDF) youth programs magazine -- including an article by Hannah Wickline, Habitat Wake AmeriCorps member.
Thanks to partners
During the season of Collegiate Challenge, we accomplish quite a bit of home construction. We appreciate help from organizations that host our out-of-town guests and make the event feasible. YMCA Cental and the A.E. Finley YMCA made showers available. Six churches housed and fed the collegians:
- Forest Hills Baptist Church
- Hayes Barton Baptist Church
- Hillyer Memorial Christian Church
- Knightdale Baptist Church
- Millbrook Baptist Church
- St. Philip Lutheran Church
Thanks to partners
A Collegiate Challenge trip may be the best school break trip you will ever have. Not only do you help people in need — it’s also fun! You’ll have the chance to improve your carpentry skills, connect with new people in a new place and put your faith into action by making a real difference in Habitat for Humanity’s work of eliminating substandard housing. Find information on the Habitat for Humanity International website.
