This summer, college students who are part of campus ministry from various schools across the country will be working with high school youth attending the ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, MI. A few college students and campus ministry staff will work with youth to build the walls of four houses for families in need. Habitat for Humanity will finish the work we begin.
Youth will swing hammers and pound nails while they learn about the impact of homelessness and sub-standard housing. They will work with college students who have made campus ministry a meaningful part of their college lives. As they build houses, youth will learn about issues related to poverty, encounter young-adults who have made faith a priority in their lives, and see faith and service from a new perspective.
At the ELCA Youth Gathering in 2009, a similar project framed the walls for one house. At the last ELCA Youth Gathering in 2012, we framed the walls for three houses. There were many requests for more opportunities to help, so at the 2015 Gathering, we are building the walls of four houses! The youth will provide much of the labor while campus ministry students and staff volunteer their time to provide leadership for construction and education about homelessness. When our work is done, Habitat for Humanity will move the wall sections to permanent locations.
We are raising funds to cover building materials and transportation of the finished wall sections. We need to raise $20,00 in all.
We invite you to be part of this project by making a contribution to help purchase lumber and nails. You can send checks to: Lutheran Campus Ministry at Penn State, 211A Pasquerilla Spiritual Center, University Park, PA 16802 or use this paypal link to make an online payment.
This is a unique opportunity for youth ministry, campus ministry, and various congregations and individuals to work together serving families in need. This project will provide a wonderful hands-on teaching opportunity for high school youth and will make a permanent impact on the people who call Detroit home.
To see photos from the 2012 Build in New Orleans, you can visit our facebook page here.
Thanks for helping make this happen!!
This is a unique opportunity