Our students recently completed a meaningful Habitat for Humanity build project, contributing 400 volunteer hours over four Saturdays to help construct a home for a local family. The service project, coordinated by Service Learning Director Mr. Carlos Mendez, brought together 50 student volunteers from grades 9-12.
## The Project
Students worked alongside Habitat for Humanity construction professionals and volunteers to build a 1,200 square-foot, three-bedroom home for the Martinez family, who will become first-time homeowners. The project addressed housing affordability challenges in our community.
**Student Contributions:**
- Framing interior walls
- Installing insulation
- Painting (primer and finish coats in all rooms)
- Landscaping and yard preparation
- Installing flooring
- Building deck and front porch
## Student Participants
50 students volunteered across four Saturday build days:
- 18 seniors (including Key Club members)
- 15 juniors
- 12 sophomores
- 5 freshmen
Student leaders included:
- **Sarah Thompson** (Grade 12) - Project coordinator, organized volunteer shifts
- **Marcus Chen** (Grade 12) - Safety captain, ensured proper tool use
- **Isabella Martinez** (Grade 11) - Painting crew leader
- **Kevin O'Brien** (Grade 11) - Landscaping team leader
Faculty chaperones: Mr. Carlos Mendez, Ms. Sofia Martinez, Coach Marcus Johnson
## Skills Developed
Students gained valuable experience:
- Construction skills (measuring, cutting, hammering, painting)
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Following safety protocols
- Time management and task completion
- Understanding housing issues and community needs
- Physical labor and work ethic
Senior Kevin O'Brien reflected: "Building something tangible that will provide shelter for a family is incredibly meaningful. We worked hard, but knowing we made a real difference makes it worthwhile."
## Community Impact
The completed home will be sold to the Martinez family at no profit, with an affordable mortgage. Habitat for Humanity's model helps families achieve stable home ownership, breaking cycles of poverty and providing children with stable housing for success in school.
Mr. and Mrs. Martinez and their three children attended the final build day, working alongside students and expressing gratitude. "We never imagined home ownership was possible," said Mrs. Martinez. "These students gave us not just a house, but hope for our family's future."
## School's Service Commitment
Community service is integral to Hamilton Preparatory School:
- **Service hours required:** 10 hours annually (grades 6-8), 20 hours annually (grades 9-12)
- **Total student service:** 6,800 hours contributed annually
- **Service clubs:** Key Club (75 members), Habitat Chapter (50 members), Environmental Club (40 members)
## Other Service Initiatives
Recent student service projects include:
- Monthly food bank volunteering - sorting 3,200 lbs of donated food
- Senior center visits - technology tutoring and companionship for 30 seniors
- River cleanup - removing trash from local waterways (75 student volunteers quarterly)
- Tutoring program - 45 high school students tutor elementary students
- Animal shelter assistance - dog walking and facility maintenance
## Recognition
The Habitat build project earned recognition:
- Regional Habitat for Humanity Youth Leadership Award
- Featured in local newspaper highlighting youth volunteerism
- Certificate of Appreciation from Habitat for Humanity director
- Community Service Award consideration for participating students
## Join Service Efforts
Students interested in service can:
- Join Key Club (meets Wednesdays, 3:30 PM)
- Sign up for Habitat build days (scheduled quarterly)
- Participate in one-time service events
- Create independent service projects with advisor approval
"Service learning helps students understand their power to create positive change," noted Mr. Mendez. "Through hands-on projects addressing real community needs, students develop empathy, skills, and civic responsibility that last a lifetime."