Mar 4, 2013 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – Greene County Habitat for Humanity is hosting students from Providence College, Fordham University, University of New Hampshire and Brookdale Community College during their spring breaks through March 22 to help build or rehabilitate homes for families in need of affordable housing.

The 50 students are participating in Habitat for Humanity’s national alternative break program, Collegiate Challenge.

“Spring always brings renewal, and with Habitat for Humanity it is no different,” said Keith Davin, Greene County Habitat for Humanity Executive Director. “This spring our building efforts will be bolstered by four college spring break groups. They will be helping us in Crucible, Oak Forest and at our warehouse.”

For the past 24 years, more than 208,000 students have spent their school breaks volunteering across the country through Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge program, donating more than $20 million to Habitat affiliates.

“We’re grateful to Greene County Habitat for Humanity for hosting the students as part of Collegiate Challenge,” said Jenn Skudlarek, Habitat for Humanity International’s manager of U.S. volunteer programs. “Their work together makes a meaningful difference and will have a lasting impact in communities across the country.”

The Collegiate Challenge program is one of the many programs Habitat has to engage youth ages 5 to 25 in Habitat’s work. In addition to the ongoing support State Farm offices provide to local Habitat affiliates across the United States, the insurance company has served as the national corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs since 2007.

Greene County Habitat for Humanity has been building homes in Greene County since 1985 and recently completed its 56th build. Plans for 2013 include finishing two more homes and starting on a third.

Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 600,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit www.habitat.org, or follow us at www.facebook.com/habitat or at www.twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at www.habitat.org/blog.