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Habitat for Humanity
Description: Habitat for Humanity is an international non-profit organization dedicated to providing affordable, decent housing to families in need. Colgate Habitat supports these goals both locally and nationally. Locally, we work on building sites with the Madison County affiliate, and raise funds to support the affiliate, through events such as the HomeRun 5K. Nationally, we send teams of students to build at sites across the country during breaks. Additionally, we aim to raise awareness on homelessness and housing issues on campus and within the community.
Overall, we are a group that champions hard-work and cooperation to improve lives and living conditions throughout the Hamilton area.
Volunteers can commit to as much time as they wish. We build locally for about 3 hours on Saturdays (weather permitting) and ask for volunteers from a large group of students on a weekly basis. So the volunteer can participate as much as they choose, although we do encourage people to participate in local builds, alternative break trips, and fundraising events.
Habitat volunteers manage the HomeRun 5K and half-marathon every Spring. They have also had Game Night each semester and sell Chocolate Tool Kits around the end of fall semester as fundraisers.
Community: Habitat for Humanity works with the Madison County Habitat affiliate on Saturdays. Transportation is provided by students. We also work with the Phelps Area Affiliate in McCarr, KY on break trips and use Colgate vans to drive down.
Volunteers say: "Working closely with peers to learn a new skill that is purely non-academic is not only a refreshing change of pace from the intense university environment, but getting to know these people better and also becoming close with the Habitat homeowners as they work alongside us has gotten me a lot more interested in social awareness and community service than I ever was before. "
"This expansion of my skill set and leadership abilities was exactly what I was looking for out of my college experience: I've helped in the world outside of school, brought some education about homelessness and inadequate housing to my peers, and made some lasting friendships--I even became friends with my current roommate through Habitat!"
Resources: Habitat International