Habitat for Humanity

Last week I had the opportunity to talk to Jessica Wagner, the Public Relations officer of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity club. Jessica is only a freshman at Eastern this year, but she believes so much in the mission of Habitat for Humanity, that she was made the PR officer earlier in the semester and has become really involved in the activities that the club participates in.

The mission statement of the ECSU Habitat for Humanity Club is as followed: “To increase awareness of sub-standard housing on campus and in the community. We also help to eradicate this issue with Windham and New London affiliate. Members can benefit from Gaining Community Service Hours, Learning Construction Skills, Traveling Around the Country, Enhancing Their Resume, Meeting New Friends, Getting More Involved In The University’s Community and Helping Families Get Out of Poverty Housing” (http://www.easternct.edu/studentactivities/clubs_orgs/habitat.htm).

Jessica told me a lot about the two big events that Habitat is putting on during Eastern’s Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week (November 18-23).

The first event, an Oxfam America Hunger Banquet, is going to be on Monday, November 18. People Helping People (PHP) is also helping out with the event. If you have never been to a Hunger Banquet, then I would definitely encourage you to attend this event. The premise of the Hunger Banquet is better left a surprise, but what I can tell you is to go to Niejadlik Hall at 7pm and come hungry.

 The second event, the annual Shack-A-Thon, is going to be from November 19^th-20^th on Webb Lawn. At this event you can “see your fellow ECSU students live and sleep in boxes for 30 hours straight to help raise awareness for substandard housing.” Habitat club members raise $100 to sleep in boxes for a night on campus. The money goes to the Windham Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

Curious about how you can become a Habitat for Humanity Club Member? You can attend their meetings on Mondays at 7:30pm in Room 219 in the Student Center. If you want to find out more about their club you can e-mail them at habitatforhumanity@my.easternct.edu. You can also like them on Facebook or Follow them on Twitter @ECSUHabitat.

I asked Jessica why she thought Eastern Students should get involved in Habitat. She said that is was a “good way to meet new people, you get to go to different places and it is a great way to help in the community.”

~Nicolle Hill, CCE Intern

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