Georgetown County, S.C. — The local Habitat for Humanity affiliate is the first in the state to offer a program giving students opportunities to direct real home construction projects.
A group of 15 students is now working as the steering committee in the Youth United program through Habitat for Humanity Georgetown County.
More students who want to give back to their community will be included soon.
Their target date for beginning construction of their first house is this coming June.
Ophelia Snow, the youth coordinator and advisor for the Youth United program, said the students from Georgetown middle and high schools, Carvers Bay middle and high schools and Waccamaw and Andrews high schools will make decisions about raising money, building the house and recruiting volunteers.
“Whatever grown-ups do to plan a house build, Youth United students have to do the same things,” Snow said.
“We adults only advise them based on guidelines from Habitat for Humanity International.”
These students, selected through an application process, are also members of KRA (Knowledge, Responsibility and Achievement), SOS (Service Over Self), Lowcountry Preparatory School and local churches.
Snow said they have developed a slogan which is: “Youth lending hands; so that others may simply live.”
Annette Perreault, executive director of the local Habitat affiliate, is very excited about this new program.
“We are so thrilled to be able to do this,” Perreault said. “Youth United is an incredible learning opportunity for our students, and helps with leadership development.”
She said Teach My People Christian Youth Center and Tara Hall Home for Boys have shown interest in the program and there are roles to play for students aged 5 to 25.
She said some of the students involved will even be learning about grant writing and other marketable skills.
“We have to train the next generation how to help our community and those in need,” Perreault said.
For more information about Youth United and how your student can become a member, contact Ophelia Snow at 843-546-5685 ext. 9, or visit www.habitatgeorgetown.com.
By Clayton Stairs
cstairs@gtowntimes.com