Spring Break
Take an 'Alternative Break' and provide some shelter
Habitat for Humanity to coordinate building project over Spring Break
Bailey Mannisto-Iches
Issue date: 3/13/07 Section: News
Students have the opportunity to make an impact in the community and exercise their inner humanitarian this spring break with Habitat for Humanity.
This year will mark the first time that Sacramento State offers Alternative Break.
"The key to the project is that it was conceived and built in a collaborative nature by (Sac State's) Office of Community Collaboration, Student Activities and also the Alcohol Education Program," said Brendan McVeigh, community partnerships coordinator of the Office of Community Collaboration.
This team effort makes this particular project especially unique, he said.
The first project on the agenda is building homes. Students are able to sign up to volunteer for up to three days, spanning March 28 through 31.
Those who volunteer will be working directly with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity by putting their hands to use and able bodies to work on the construction of homes in the Sacramento region.
The exact location of where students will work is still unknown.
McVeigh said the location will be determined next week. As far as the type of labor, McVeigh said, "It may be digging the foundation or putting the finishing touches on a house."
Adam Kahn, 22, senior business major and student ambassador for the business department, is following in his father's footsteps by signing up to work for Habitat for Humanity.
"I don't know much about Habitat. I decided to get involved because my dad did it. People can learn a lot about working in teams (by volunteering). It also leaves a lot of room for personal growth, and for me it's a great feeling that comes with helping people," he said.
The Sacramento Habitat for Humanity is only a small part of this international organization, but students are given the opportunity to make a positive difference by devoting their time and energy to the cause.
"I wanted to do more on my break than just sit, I want to be an active participant in the community rather than just talking about it," said Melissa Wallace, a third-year international-intercultural communications studies major.
Alternative Break is expected to be available during all school breaks in the future, McVeigh said.
"The infrastructure is in place to maybe have an international Alternative Break to cover all CSU campuses in the future," McVeigh said. "Next year we may go to the Gulf Coast if we can make it work."
Making it work depends on the success of this spring break. Organizers of alternative break hope to offer a range of local, national and international opportunities for service in the future.
Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976, according to the international website. Since the beginning, it has built "more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter."
According to the Sacramento Habitat for Humanity website, its mission is to build a sustaining spirit of community in the Sacramento Region. Building quality homes through partnerships with families, volunteers, community organizations and businesses nurtures families, helps create a more secure environment for future generations, strengthens our neighborhoods and unifies our local communities.
Today is the last day students can sign up to pave the way with Alternative Break this spring. A mandatory meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the University Union Walnut Room where interested individuals can sign up, get more information about the program and meet fellow volunteers.
Bailey Mannisto-Iches can be reached at news@statehornet.com
This year will mark the first time that Sacramento State offers Alternative Break.
"The key to the project is that it was conceived and built in a collaborative nature by (Sac State's) Office of Community Collaboration, Student Activities and also the Alcohol Education Program," said Brendan McVeigh, community partnerships coordinator of the Office of Community Collaboration.
This team effort makes this particular project especially unique, he said.
The first project on the agenda is building homes. Students are able to sign up to volunteer for up to three days, spanning March 28 through 31.
Those who volunteer will be working directly with a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity by putting their hands to use and able bodies to work on the construction of homes in the Sacramento region.
The exact location of where students will work is still unknown.
McVeigh said the location will be determined next week. As far as the type of labor, McVeigh said, "It may be digging the foundation or putting the finishing touches on a house."
Adam Kahn, 22, senior business major and student ambassador for the business department, is following in his father's footsteps by signing up to work for Habitat for Humanity.
"I don't know much about Habitat. I decided to get involved because my dad did it. People can learn a lot about working in teams (by volunteering). It also leaves a lot of room for personal growth, and for me it's a great feeling that comes with helping people," he said.
The Sacramento Habitat for Humanity is only a small part of this international organization, but students are given the opportunity to make a positive difference by devoting their time and energy to the cause.
"I wanted to do more on my break than just sit, I want to be an active participant in the community rather than just talking about it," said Melissa Wallace, a third-year international-intercultural communications studies major.
Alternative Break is expected to be available during all school breaks in the future, McVeigh said.
"The infrastructure is in place to maybe have an international Alternative Break to cover all CSU campuses in the future," McVeigh said. "Next year we may go to the Gulf Coast if we can make it work."
Making it work depends on the success of this spring break. Organizers of alternative break hope to offer a range of local, national and international opportunities for service in the future.
Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976, according to the international website. Since the beginning, it has built "more than 200,000 houses around the world, providing more than 1,000,000 people in more than 3,000 communities with safe, decent, affordable shelter."
According to the Sacramento Habitat for Humanity website, its mission is to build a sustaining spirit of community in the Sacramento Region. Building quality homes through partnerships with families, volunteers, community organizations and businesses nurtures families, helps create a more secure environment for future generations, strengthens our neighborhoods and unifies our local communities.
Today is the last day students can sign up to pave the way with Alternative Break this spring. A mandatory meeting will be held at 5 p.m. in the University Union Walnut Room where interested individuals can sign up, get more information about the program and meet fellow volunteers.
Bailey Mannisto-Iches can be reached at news@statehornet.com
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