Get Involved

 

Church Relations

Habitat for Humanity was created to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus Christ, so it is natural that the church—Christ’s body in the world—should be a primary partner in Habitat’s work.

Churches are essential in grounding the work of Habitat in the gospel message and undergirding the ministry of Habitat in prayer. The most successful Habitat for Humanity affiliates are the ones with the strongest church support, and churches have proven to be Habitat’s most reliable and long-term partners.

 

Form a High School or Campus Chapter



Join the thousands of high school and college students who are helping to end poverty housing. Students take the lead in campus chapters to transform communities, one family and one house at a time.

 

Form a Workplace Chapter

On a Habitat build, united in the goal of helping those in need, employees at every level get to see each other at their best. It's an opportunity to grow, to bond and to experience good feelings that get carried back to the workplace.

 

Collegiate Challenge:
An unforgettable school break experience

Collegiate Challenge is Habitat for Humanity's year-round alternative break program for groups of five or more students ages 16 and older. Students spend a week of their school break working on construction with a Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States.

A Collegiate Challenge trip may be the best school break trip you will ever have. Why? What other program provides an opportunity for you and your friends to travel to the state of your choice and spend a week working side by side with a future Habitat homeowner? And not only do you help people in need--it's also fun! You'll have the opportunity to improve your carpentry skills, connect with new people, put your faith into action, visit a new place and make a real difference in Habitat for Humanity's work of eliminating poverty housing. So put down your books and learn how you can start building with Habitat for Humanity's Collegiate Challenge program today!

 

Join a Summer Build for Teen-agers

The Summer Youth Blitz is a unique service experience for a diverse group of youth, ages 16 to 18, from high schools and youth organizations around the United States. During this program, 15 to 20 youth participants and adult leaders "blitz build" an entire Habitat house in two weeks.

The house build, an unfamiliar activity for most, provides a common, non-threatening ground for building relationships and teams.

In the evenings, the youth participate in activities like team-building games, leadership development, local cultural events or community dinners.

This program is sponsored by national grant donations and coordinated by the Campus Chapters and Youth Programs department of Habitat for Humanity International. For the past several years, funding has allowed for three blitz builds per summer--two in the United States and one outside the country. The builds take place during the months of June, July and August.

If you're interested in participating, and are between the ages of 16 and 18 years old, you must submit an application, which is available during January and February.

 

Involving Children and Youth in Habitat's Work

Getting youth involved with Habitat at an early age is an investment in the future of the organization. The earlier people get involved with Habitat for Humanity, the more likely it is that they will stay involved throughout their lives. This is one reason why Habitat is now focusing on involving all school-aged youth into its ministry. Through Habitat, young people have the opportunity to put faith into action, to work in partnership with a diverse group of people and to make a positive difference in their own communities. Working with Habitat is one of the best opportunities young people can find for such experiences.


As we engage youth around the world, we seek to respect and adhere to local child labor laws in the United States. Youth under the age of 16 are not allowed to work on a construction site in accordance with U.S. child labor laws.

There are many creative opportunities for youth to be involved in Habitat's ministry.

Here are some examples of how youth from schools, churches and youth-serving organizations have been involved in Habitat:


Ages 5-7

  • Make a welcome basket for the homeowner family and sing a song at the dedication.

  • Stock the pantry for a new Habitat for Humanity partner family.

  • Draw greeting cards to be sold at a Habitat fund-raiser.

  • Construct house banks as a fund-raising tool for affiliates.

Ages 7-10

  • Draw messages or blessings on 2x4s before the house framing.

  • Landscape, learn about the local environment and plant environmentally friendly trees and gardens.

  • Make wooden key holders, picture frames or doorstops from scraps on site.

  • Coordinate a birthday gift project for partner family children.

Ages 10-12

  • Speak to classmates about the mission of Habitat with the help of a local campus chapter or homeowner family.

  • Construct and paint window boxes to be used as housewarming gifts or as fund-raising items.

  • Help clear the construction site of debris before or after construction.

  • Design a T-shirt to be sold at a Habitat event.

  • Help fold or stuff newsletters or mailings.

 

Ages 12-14

  • Design an affiliate Web page or newsletter.

  • Learn about another country where Habitat builds, and coordinate a fund-raiser to help sponsor a home there.

  • Register volunteers at the construction site information table.

  • Paint doors and baseboards off site before they are put into the house.

 

Ages 15-17

  • Start a Habitat campus chapter.

  • Build picnic or lunch tables for the work site.

  • Tutor younger partner family children.

  • Provide baby-sitting for children of homeowners or volunteers.

  • Clean a Habitat house before the dedication.

  • Talk to a partner family about how Habitat has impacted them. Write about their experience and publish one of their reflections in a newsletter.

  • Organize and serve meals to volunteer builders.


Q: What do building, leadership, social change and fun have in common?
A: Youth United!

It’s true! Youth United participants build a house. Not only that, they also run the project, raise the money to build the house, write news articles, speak to the press, make presentations to businesses, mentor younger youth, and improve their community. Learn how you can get involved with Youth United.


Extending Family Partnering: Tutoring and Mentoring Programs

Habitat's affiliate census shows that 62 percent of those who live in Habitat homes are children. To be effective in breaking the cycle of poverty housing, we must meet the needs of these young people, as well as those not yet a part of the Habitat family. Mentoring programs have proven effective in helping young people stay in school and develop the skills needed to become successful adults. The CCYP department is working with nationwide mentoring organizations to provide technical assistance and support to campus chapters and affiliates interested in mentoring programs.

Investing in the Future: A Resource Guide

Investing in the Future is an age-specific program manual that suggests activities that are age-appropriate, safe and legal for young people of varying ages. This 55-page manual includes more detailed examples of past activities with youth and local Habitat affiliates, a section on child labor laws for the United States and core elements of successful youth activities. Investing in the Future can be ordered by calling (800) 422-4828, ext. 2552, and asking for Item #3313. The cost of the manual is $5.

Church Youth Groups:

“This week really helped me to realize what it is to truly serve God through serving those who are less fortunate than me."
Iris Chiang, New Jersey

Are you looking for a way to put your faith into action?



Join us. Every person can make a difference as they use their gifts to serve God. No construction experience is needed to participate. You just need a heart and mind that is willing to serve and learn. Serving with Habitat for Humanity is a great opportunity to not only help those in need, but also develop strong relationships with God and your team. You will touch the lives of future Habitat for Humanity homeowners, volunteers and staff. In return, you will learn, grow and be touched by others in the midst of this week of fun, fellowship and service!

Collegiate Challenge is a week-long mission project for church youth groups ages 16 and older that are dedicated to serving their community and strengthening their relationship with God.

In addition to working on the construction site each day, all youth groups will be provided with a resource that will guide them through their Habitat for Humanity experience. The Faith Builders Guide will provide youth groups with Christian focused daily devotions, reflection activities and educational information about poverty housing issues. It is designed to help your group to connect faith with action and help illustrate how Christians can make positive impacts on negative situations.

 

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