Media Event and Photo Opportunity

Spring Break with Habitat, Not the Beach

Spring break is usually a time for fun in the sun and for taking a break from school.  For a few dozen students, this year’s spring break will be spent here in Harrisburg helping Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area eliminate poverty housing.

The students are participants of Collegiate Challenge, a Habitat for Humanity program that provides year-round opportunities for youth to use their vacations to help build homes. 

Between now and March 25th  more than 45 students from the northeast will call Harrisburg home while working on homes for Habitat for Humanity of the Greater Harrisburg Area.  This week, students from the Boston College are working in Harrisburg.  Over the next two weeks, students from Curry College (Milton, MA) and The University of Maine at Augusta will be working on projects here in the mid-state.

“We truly appreciate the work of these youth volunteers,” said Antron Watson, Habitat for Humanity’s Project Administrator.   “They are making a difference in our community by helping families in need, obtain safe, decent and affordable homes.  These kids, who choose to volunteer and build houses with Habitat for Humanity during their spring break, are making a powerful statement.”

Locally several churches, businesses and individuals have joined together to provide meals and a place for the students to stay.  The students work on Critical Repair Projects and Rehabs from Tuesday through Saturday.

This spring break marks the 22nd anniversary of the Collegiate Challenge program, and more than 15,000 students will travel to 200 locations to build houses through the program.  Throughout its 22-year history, more than 170,000 students have participated in Collegiate Challenge, raising more than $15.5 million.  This year alone, Collegiate Challenge participants will contribute $1.8 million.