Gabriella Melendez, a student at St. Francis School in Louisville, will join other youth from across the U.S. to help build a home in Wisconsin, as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s “Learn and Build Experience.”
Habitat’s Learn and Build Experience is a summer program that provides young people, ages 16-18, the opportunity to travel to a new community, get involved with Habitat’s mission and learn more about the issues surrounding poverty housing. Melendez is one of 16 individuals selected for the June 22-July 1 trip to Milwaukee.
“I am so excited to spend part of my summer break volunteering with Habitat,” said Melendez. “Not only do I get the wonderful experience of helping a family in need, but I also get to meet new people from all over the country”
Overall, 80 students have been selected to participate in Habitat’s Learn and Build Experience and will volunteer at one of the Habitat affiliate host sites in Wisconsin, North Carolina, Louisiana, Hawaii and Macedonia. Another 25 alumni participants will volunteer with Habitat in Georgia. Both groups will spend time in the community learning about the need for affordable housing.
“We would like to thank the Learn and Build Experience participants for taking time out of their summer to give back,” said Jose Quinonez, director of Volunteer Programs at Habitat. “Together we will help a family realize the dream of home ownership and provide a memorable experience for everyone involved.”
Habitat for Humanity International’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Anchored by the conviction that housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat has helped more than 4 million people construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes since 1976.