posted May 9, 2008
Thanks to the hard work of students from nine public and two private high schools, two families will become homeowners this Saturday as their new Habitat for Humanity homes are dedicated.
“This will be a special day,” said John Atherton, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Chattanooga. “It marks the culmination of months of work by two groups of area students from public and private schools to make a difference in the lives of two families, and our community.”
“Habitat has worked with public school students through the vo-tech program, with area Christian schools, with The McCallie School and GPS, Baylor and UTC, but the Student Build House is the first in Chattanooga to be built by students from nine public high schools,” said Mr. Atherton. “We hope that this is the first of many similar partnerships that will involve students from public schools in hands-on service to those in need of affordable housing in our community.”
Student Build 2008 launched in February with the construction of the walls for Habitat homes at Brainerd, CSAS, Central, Hixson, Howard, Lookout Valley, Ooltewah, Red Bank and Soddy Daisy high schools. The second phase of the project was the construction of a home from start to finish in Alton Park.
“In order for a project like Student Build 08 to be successful it takes community partners,” said Mr. Atherton. “The Chattanooga Youth Network has been a key partner and has been instrumental in bringing together Student Leaders for this effort. McCallie and GPS students also supported the effort by sharing what they have learned in the course of working on Habitat builds through their schools.”
The Robert and Kathrina Maclellan Foundation also supported the effort with a grant to match funds raised by students, said Mr. Atherton.
“Knowing that giving students opportunities to invest in community transformation is crucial for developing the next generation of community leaders,” said Tony Souder, with the Chattanooga Youth Network, “Habitat for Humanity if one of the best ways that I’ve seen to provide students with servant leadership opportunities. We are thankful that we were able to have a small part in a family getting into a quality affordable home thanks to teenagers from our region.”
“Participating in building a home through Habitat for Humanity is an amazing experience for students,” said Danielle Clark, with the Hamilton County Department of Education. “This type of partnership gives our students a real-world experience in which to apply the skills they have learned throughout their academic careers in Hamilton County. Working on a team requires great communication skills and the ability to see an idea implemented through to completion. Working on a construction site also gives students the ability to apply their reading, writing and mathematical skills in a real-world setting as they read blue-prints, figure out geometric specs and communicate their thoughts in writing.”
While the Student Build house was rising on one lot, next door the 2008 McCallie/GPS Home, which will also be dedicated on Saturday, was under construction.
“Both McCallie and GPS have had extensive involvement in projects here and abroad,” said Mr. Atherton, noting that McCallie and GPS students have built a house yearly here since 2000. “McCallie students have also traveled to eight other countries to work on 24 homes, and two more trips are planned this year. GPS students have worked on builds in New Orleans, done an overseas build, and are working another overseas project this summer,” he said.
“Student Build 2008 and the McCallie/GPS Build are great examples of the difference that all of us can make when we set our hands and hearts to making a difference in the lives of our neighbors,” Mr. Atherton said.
"Besides the excitement that comes with building a house with your bare hands, and learning new skills that can only be taught on the job site, it cannot compare to the rewarding feeling of seeing a family's dream of owning a home be fulfilled because of you and your peers," said Ethan Ott, student president of McCallie's Habitat Chapter.
"It is a real pleasure to see students realize they can have an authentic impact on their community. Habitat for Humanity offers that chance--for students to help individuals change the direction of their lives for the better,” said Sumner McCallie, with the McCallie School. “We could not be happier for the two homeowners with whom we worked. They gave themselves to the build, and shared their lives and hopes with our students in a way that uplifted everyone involved."
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