The Forum

Issue date: 3/16/10 Section: Campus

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Imagine spending a night in a room with no water or heat or not even having a place to call home. This is the reality for thousands of people in Salt Lake City and across the nation.

Westminster students are taking a stand against the rising rates of poverty with their on-going participation in Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a nation-wide program aimed at helping reduce homelessness and poverty by working with the community to build affordable housing for those in need. The program incorporates the families in need into the building of the homes with the help of communities and volunteers. Habitat also teaches families how to manage their finances and how to maintain their new homes.

Westminster College students have become a crucial part of the Salt Lake City Habitat for Humanity program. Through the Center for Civic Engagement, Westminster students have formed a Habitat for Humanity Club. The members of the club, as well as non-members, attend a habitat build each month.

Dominique Lowen, a junior at Westminster, got involved with Habitat for Humanity as a volunteer last year and has been on six builds with Westminster. "Habitat for Humanity is a unique organization," said Lowen, who recently became chapter president.

The Westminster students have been involved in one build a month from September through May each year since they partnered with Habitat for Humanity and have gone on numerous alternative spring break trips to New Orleans, La., Las Vegas, Nev. and even Hawaii.

Program Advisor Julie Tille notes that the builds are beneficial to both the volunteers and the new home owners. "Every individual that goes on a build is able to learn many skills that go into building a house and each build is always very unique," said Tille.

Many of the participants have noted that the most unique and fulfilling part of the experience was working alongside those who they were building the houses for. On many of the builds, the new homeowners help build their home and are embraced by the generosity of strangers, a unique experience for everyone involved.

"The most memorable builds have been those where we have been able to work alongside the family members that will be moving into the house. They paint the real picture as to why volunteers are so needed and important for Habitat and the real value that volunteers provide a place for a family to live and an opportunity for a family to thrive" said Tille.

Lowen agrees that building alongside the future homeowners is the most fulfilling part of the experience, "At our build last November a homeowner had just finished putting in her last hours. This woman expressed her gratitude to all of us at the build and all of the Westminster students were very touched," said Lowen. "We give hard working families the opportunity to own their own homes. It is a joint effort bringing together people in need and people with resources."

The next Habitat build takes place Saturday, March 21. The build runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and any one can join. For more information or to sign up, contact Ashley Pedersen at asp0806@westminstercollege.edu or call the Center for Civic Engagement at 801.832.2840.

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