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Christine Bouchard, associate vice president for Student Success, presents a basket of blankets to new Habitat for Humanity homeowner Nicole Brunson. The blankets were made by UAlbany students as a housewarming gift for Brunson and her two children. (Photo by Mark Schmidt.) |
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 26, 2007) -- University at Albany students reached their goal of raising $25,000 for the newest Capital District Habitat for Humanity home, located at 19 Emmet Street, Albany. The house, sponsored by the Campus Partnership Initiative, will be dedicated in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Feb. 27.
The Campus Partnership Initiative represents a coalition of local institutions of higher education, including UAlbany, Albany Medical College, Albany College of Pharmacy and the College of St. Rose. Students, faculty and staff from each campus launched a fundraising campaign during the 2005-2006 academic year. Hundreds of students also spent their Saturdays volunteering on the Habitat House construction site.
The collective goal was to raise $70,000 to build a house for one local family.
At UAlbany, students participated in a week-long series of fund-raising events, including a dodge ball tournament and bingo, during the University's Habitat for Humanity Week Jan. 30-Feb. 4.
"The University is proud of its commitment to advancing campus/community partnerships and civic engagement and to promoting student volunteerism to the betterment of public life in the capital region," said Provost and Officer in Charge Susan Herbst. "The students and the Capital Region Habitat for Humanity have much to be proud of. We congratulate them for their efforts and the family on their new home."
The home was also sponsored by a donation from Superior Walls by Jointa Lime, LLC in Schenectady.
"It was incredibly refreshing to witness the enthusiasm and energy of the students when they were building on the construction site. The young people involved in this project proved that their generation is a positive force dedicated to social justice through improving the lives of low-income families in the community," said Habitat's Development Director Ericka Small.
Tuesday's ceremony will include remarks by Mayor Gerald Jennings and County Executive Michael Breslin and house keys will be presented to the new homeowner.
Capital District Habitat for Humanity is a not-for-profit, ecumenical housing partnership dedicated to building simple, decent and affordable housing for low-income families in need. Habitat uses volunteer labor and donations of money and materials to provide affordable homeownership to those people who would not otherwise have that opportunity. Habitat creates systemic social change by giving the economically disenfranchised the tools necessary to break the cycle of poverty. Established in 1988, CDHfH is the Albany, NY affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. To date, CDHfH has built 37 homes.
