Inspired by the difference they were making when they worked closely with Schenectady’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, Union students have started their own.
“It’s exciting,” said Ellen Blanchard ’12, an Electoral Board member of the College’s fledgling chapter. “We started the club last spring – it branched out from the Kenney Community Center. And we recently submitted our constitution.”
Throughout the process of creating their own chapter, students have continued to uphold Union’s long tradition of supporting the local group’s efforts.
“For the first Habitat build of the term, a group of 13 Union students went into the city to help finish two new, low-income homes near Foster Avenue,” said Blanchard, whose responsibility on the chapter board is public relations. “Half the group worked on siding, while the rest helped prepare rooms for caulking spaces between the floors and walls to provide better insulation. This was especially important because one of the homes is an Energy Star home.”
Joining Blanchard on the chapter’s board are President Cybil Tribie ’11, Vice Presidents Reshad Muhmad ’11 and Jordana Kozupsky ’12, Secretary Nathalie Marte ’12 and Treasurer Erin Osgood ’12. Santos Avila, community outreach coordinator with the Kenney Center, sits on the board as an advisor.
A nonprofit, nondenominational housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International has built more than 300,000 houses around the world since 1976, providing more than 1.5 million people with safe, decent, affordable shelter.
“We have a great group of individuals who will lay the foundation for the first campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity,” said Angela Tatem, Kenney Center director. “They should be commended for their hard work and their commitment to making the chapter a success for years to come at Union College.”
To volunteer for Habitat builds by the new Union chapter, contact Sarah Gagnon ’12 (gagnons2@union.edu) or Nathalie Marte ’12 (marten@union.edu).