2008 Woodie Awards
Extraordinary Student at Work
Cintrece Brown
Issue date: 2/22/07 Section: Features
- Page 1 of 1
With spring break quickly approaching, Habitat for Humanity is taking advantage of the time off and organizing the annual Spring Break Colligate Challenge with trips to places such as; Wilmington, N.C., Tuscaloosa, Ala., and newly added to the roster New Mexico.
The chapter of Habitat for Humanity at Sacred Heart campus is greatly involved in the local community of Bridgeport as well as out of town locations. Some of the duties the Habitat members do are raise monetary funds for local organizations, advocate for better living conditions, and ultimately build homes.
One of the students participating is Jennifer Torres, who has been a part of the Habitat Spring Break Colligate Challenge since freshman year.
"I always felt I like was meant to make a difference. I joined Habitat because I went to a meeting just to hear some information," said Torres, Senior, Bronx, N.Y.
"My friend encouraged me to do a workday with her so I signed up. At the workday I just stood there, but then I decided that I should help, so I took the hammer and started hammering and I actually really enjoyed it. I'm still amazed as well because not only am I helping those less fortunate, but I am doing something that I actually enjoy," said Torres.
While on the Habitat Spring Break Colligate Challenge participating students work from the ground up.
Only provided with a foundation and materials, students are expected to frame the house being built, as well as put up doors, windows, an even the roof. All the while students and advisors keep safety in mind.
"The best part about these trips is what you learn. I have learned how to properly use a hammer, I was also taught how to use a power saw, and the nail gun, all of which are tools that I would normally be afraid to interact with, but with the proper teaching, have learned use these tools with no fear," said Torres.
With the addition of the New Mexico trip to the itinerary, student who are making the trip are most excited about the new building methods they will encounter during the trip.
On this trip instead of building homes with 2x4's and plywood, the houses are going to be built adobe style, or unfired clay masonry. Students will be getting their hands dirty using mud and earth to construct the home, a first for SHU Habitat members.
"I just get so much satisfaction when I participate on a workday with Habitat. My freshman year in Willington, I was talking to the homeowner and she stopped working, looked at me with tears in her eyes, thanked me, and told me that she will pray for me because I am doing something great," said Torres.
" I will never forget this homeowner because she just appreciated us so much, and her words made me want to work harder so he can have the house of her dreams. It is people like her that make members want to go build houses for Spring Break, instead of relaxing at the beach all day," said Torres
The chapter of Habitat for Humanity at Sacred Heart campus is greatly involved in the local community of Bridgeport as well as out of town locations. Some of the duties the Habitat members do are raise monetary funds for local organizations, advocate for better living conditions, and ultimately build homes.
One of the students participating is Jennifer Torres, who has been a part of the Habitat Spring Break Colligate Challenge since freshman year.
"I always felt I like was meant to make a difference. I joined Habitat because I went to a meeting just to hear some information," said Torres, Senior, Bronx, N.Y.
"My friend encouraged me to do a workday with her so I signed up. At the workday I just stood there, but then I decided that I should help, so I took the hammer and started hammering and I actually really enjoyed it. I'm still amazed as well because not only am I helping those less fortunate, but I am doing something that I actually enjoy," said Torres.
While on the Habitat Spring Break Colligate Challenge participating students work from the ground up.
Only provided with a foundation and materials, students are expected to frame the house being built, as well as put up doors, windows, an even the roof. All the while students and advisors keep safety in mind.
"The best part about these trips is what you learn. I have learned how to properly use a hammer, I was also taught how to use a power saw, and the nail gun, all of which are tools that I would normally be afraid to interact with, but with the proper teaching, have learned use these tools with no fear," said Torres.
With the addition of the New Mexico trip to the itinerary, student who are making the trip are most excited about the new building methods they will encounter during the trip.
On this trip instead of building homes with 2x4's and plywood, the houses are going to be built adobe style, or unfired clay masonry. Students will be getting their hands dirty using mud and earth to construct the home, a first for SHU Habitat members.
"I just get so much satisfaction when I participate on a workday with Habitat. My freshman year in Willington, I was talking to the homeowner and she stopped working, looked at me with tears in her eyes, thanked me, and told me that she will pray for me because I am doing something great," said Torres.
" I will never forget this homeowner because she just appreciated us so much, and her words made me want to work harder so he can have the house of her dreams. It is people like her that make members want to go build houses for Spring Break, instead of relaxing at the beach all day," said Torres
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