Lafayette, La. (July 29, 2014) – This week, 16 high school students from across the U.S. will volunteer with Lafayette Habitat for Humanity for 9 days as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s “Learn and Build Experience,” which provides young people, ages 16 to 18, the opportunity to travel to a new community, get involved in Habitat’s mission and learn more about the issues surrounding poverty housing.
From July 28 – August 5, the students will be working on Lafayette Habitat for Humanity’s 100th home. They will kick off the week by framing the subfloor, then framing and raising walls at the Alfred family home on S. Magnolia Street in Lafayette’s McComb/Veazey neighborhood.
“Lafayette Habitat is privileged to be one of only six Habitat affiliates chosen from around the world to host a “Learn and Build” team,” said Joelle Boudreaux, Lafayette Habitat’s Volunteer Services Director. “We are excited to be working with this exceptional group of young adults, and grateful that they’ve chosen to spend a week of their summer helping us build our 100th home.”
Several local eateries and businesses are partnering together to ensure these students have an authentic taste of Louisiana and its unique culture. Restaurants will be donating lunches for the group throughout their stay and Painting with a Twist will be offering a reduced-rate class where students will be creating a Louisiana-themed painting. In addition, the Louisiana Cane Cutters will be hosting a “give back” night on Thursday, July 31, when the students will attend a game and a portion of ticket sales will be donated to Lafayette Habitat.
Overall, 80 students have been selected to participate in Habitat’s Learn and Build Experience and will volunteer with one of the Habitat affiliate host sites in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Louisiana, Hawaii and Macedonia. Another 25 alumni participants will volunteer with a Habitat affiliate in Georgia. All groups will also spend time learning about the need for affordable housing.
“We would like to thank Lafayette Habitat for hosting Learn and Build Experience participants,” said Jose Quinonez, director of Volunteer Programs at Habitat. “Together we will help a family realize the dream of home ownership and provide a memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Habitat for Humanity’s Learn and Build Experience is one of many Habitat youth programs that work to capture the imagination, energy and hope of young people worldwide, ages 5 to 25. Major support for Habitat’s Learn and Build Experience comes from the Seedling Foundation.