What
is the program? Youth 5-15 can earn their Habitat for Humanity
pin by being involved in many aspects of the Habitat program. It's a
four-part program that involves learning about Habitat, helping Habitat
by doing at least two activities, reflecting on the activity through art,
and celebrating their accomplishment by sharing their art with the local
community. We will present each youth participant who completes the
program with a Habitat pin.
How
can someone get started? Each young person should discuss with
an adult sponsor which activities they wish to perform. A list of activities
is attached. (Click on the Building on Youth Application and Activities button above). For some tasks the adult/young person or group will
need to make prior arrangements with Habitat staff (these are noted with a * on the Activities List). Depending on our build schedule and the
number of youth who are participating, please note that not all tasks
are available all the time.
Do
adults need to go along with the youth when they come to Habitat?
Yes, we require a 1 adult to every 2 children ratio for activities that occur
at Habitat.
We are very interested in keeping kids safe and utilizing their time
effectively and would like to have Habitat be an activity where adults
and youth can work side by side.
Why
are none of the activities helping to build the homes? Because
of safety concerns and Virginia labor laws, youth under 16 are not allowed
on the job site while work is being preformed. Youth 16 and 17 can
help on construction tasks but cannot use power tools or work on the roof,
ladders or scaffolding. Groups of youth can volunteer, but there must
be a one adult to four youth ratio.
What
if I have a different idea of what to do? Great! Just discuss
it with the Habitat volunteer director.
Why
did you start this program? Habitat for Humanity is committed
to involving youth in solving the important problem of poverty housing.
This program gives youth a more organized way to be involved and then,
through our web site, celebrates their contribution.
Can
the young person use this for community service for school or service
clubs? Yes, as long as the form has been filled out and the
hours verified by the adult sponsor. Those with court-ordered community
service need to contact Habitat prior to performing their hours to
ensure that the time will count.
What
if there is a group who wishes to volunteer? If you have a
group of young folks, then it is probably best to plan activities where
most of the tasks can be accomplished away from the job site (for example,
making snacks and then bringing them to the site). For a few tasks, we
can take small groups of 5-7 folks. Habitat also has a "Building
a Better World" Youth Activities Poster and Program that can be used
with groups of young people, as well as Sunday School lessons focused on
poverty housing. Please discuss your options with the Habitat volunteer director.
What's
this about posting art on your web site? We plan to post young
folk's art (paintings, drawings, writing) on our web site. We hope
to keep each person's art work there for at least two months. We will
only identify the young person by their first name and last initial to
protect their privacy. If you wish the items to be returned, please include
a self addressed, stamped envelope. Click here to view Kasey's drawing.
