Participants

Bridgewater Raritan Habitat Campus Chapter was founded in September 2002 and has flourished in membership, advocacy, and fundraising ever since. Over three years, the chapter has grown to over 100 members and has raised about $5,000. Their executive board consists of a president, vice president, president of education and advocacy, president of building, and president of fundraising.

The chapter organizes an annual spring carnival in May at the Bridgewater Raritan High School. They also raise money selling custom-made t-shirts and “holiday hugs” candy bags for the winter holidays. Bridgewater Raritan Campus Chapter also raises awareness with posters all over the school advocating the need for affordable housing. They work with Carol Post in Chester toward the rehabilitation of her house, and they are hosting a speaker at one of their upcoming meetings.

Over the 2006 spring break, eight to ten members are participating in a weeklong build in New Rochelle, NY. The members of this chapter played a huge part in Youth United’s first Fall Festival: organizing, baking goods for the bake sale, gathering materials for children’s activities, and providing huge amounts of manpower that contributed vitally to the success of the event and to the whole organization.

Delbarton’s Habitat involvement is school-wide. About three times a year their club offers the opportunity to build to the whole student body. Each time eight to twelve students take advantage of this, and Delbarton’s construction involvement stretches to support different local affiliates. Two students of the class of 2005 were instrumental in helping to expand Youth United. Matt D. and Justin M. not only participated in the Youth United executive committee but also organized a Battle of the Bands with proceeds going to Habitat. This extended involvement with the community augmented the already successful construction endeavors in which Delbarton partakes.

Kinnelon High School established their Habitat Chapter in the fall of 2003. Since its founding by Kathleen Smith, this chapter has grown and held many successful events. They held a supply drive for Hurricane Katrina victims as well as an annual food drive near Thanksgiving. Their most thriving event is the annual semi-formal Gala. The successes of their Galas are far-reaching. The money from the first Gala helped to support our single-family home in Butler. Students from Kinnelon also provided much of the manpower at that work site, helping in the foundation and finished work stages of the house. This chapter remains active and involved.

Founded in 2002, the Milburn High School Campus Chapter has expanded to 30 members with tons of enthusiasm. Through many fundraising activities, such as bake sales, the chapter has raised over $1,200. The school continues advocating for affordable housing across their community. They have often dedicated their time and effort at Carol Post’s house in Chester and have also helped on Habitat builds in Randolph. In looking toward the future, Milburn’s campus chapter intends to host multiple car washes in the warmer weather and will continue their constant effort to contribute to Youth United.

Montville High School boosted their fundraising this year. They consistently have food sales every week. By enticing their student body with Wendy’s snacks, they not only quench hunger but also increasingly support Habitat. Montville’s group involves about 15 dedicated members who genuinely enjoy helping the Habitat community. Montville has helped build in Dover and Victory Gardens.

Morristown High School Campus Chapter was founded in 1999 and accredited in 2000. As Morris Habitat’s first official campus chapter, they have been faithful supporters by working on multiple sites throughout Morristown and Morris County. In addition to construction, Morristown High School has volunteered at Morris Habitat’s Annual Bike & Hike and other events. Each year a donation of at least $1,000 is made to the local affiliate and $100 to Habitat International.

During Act! Speak! Build! Week in April, students raise funds through Dinner at Chevy’s, Amazing Race, and Out in a Box. Advocacy for the need for affordable housing is equally important so the students write letters to politicians, speak at local elementary schools and participate in programs for freshmen and 8th graders.

Morristown High School is also a co-founder of Youth United, a program whose goal is to plan, fundraise for and organize construction of a student built house in 2006! Students have been instrumental in every aspect of the program including education, advocacy, fundraising and construction.

As a new member of Youth United, Mountain Lakes boasts an abundance of eager members who have offered their time for volunteer work. Currently, its members are planning events and activities for the upcoming Act! Speak! Build! Week. The chapter’s ultimate goal is to raise awareness and funds for the house-building project. There is an intense enthusiasm for the upcoming events and goals.

Katryna Dikansky founded the Newark Academy Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter in 2002. The chapter started off strong with education and outreach. By organizing a school assembly, the chapters’ members were able to teach their whole school about Habitat’s mission. Additionally, Habitat members sell desserts and merchandise at Newark Academy’s annual homecoming carnival. Donors signed a plywood sheet for $1.00, and the signed board was put into a Habitat house in Randolph. By organizing fundraising events throughout the year, the Newark Habitat chapter is able to contribute financially to Morris Habitat and Habitat International.

Since its start in 2002, Parsippany High School’s Habitat for Humanity Club is still going strong with almost 20 members. A few leaders of the club had the opportunity to work at the Doris Holder Memorial House in Randolph. They put insulation up, which was a bit itchy but worth every minute. They had the chance to meet homeowner Heidi and hear her story. It touched their hearts so much that they wanted to do something really special. The chapter bought her a wreath and a Christmas tree with fundraised money, in hopes it would make her first Christmas in her new home a memorable one.

The students have visited local elementary schools, teaching them about Habitat for Humanity while doing fun activities like making snowmen measuring sticks to check snowfall. Past projects included having the children create their own shelters with clay and making four-leaf clovers and decorating them with tissue paper.

As new members of the Youth United program, excitement is building! They are looking forward to increasing involvement in all the different aspects of the program.

As one of the co-founding schools for Youth United, the Habitat for Humanity Club at Parsippany Hills High School is steadily expanding to involve more members and do more fundraising throughout the school year. Through candy sales, car washes, and a basketball game with the Parsippany Police, the school has raised over $3,000 towards Youth United.

Act! Speak! Build! Week is one of excitement for the school club, as members heighten advocacy efforts and campaign for awareness across the school. Events include a raffle and a competition between grades in which paper houses can be purchased for $1.00 to be donated to Youth United. PHHS also participates in a fundraiser at Chevy’s Fresh Mex Restaurant in Morris Plains, handing out literature on Habitat to inform the diners. Chevy’s donates twenty percent of every dinner bill that night. PHHS is also organizing a fundraiser to sell personalized bricks that will go on a pathway being constructed at the school. With this club’s help, Youth United has made huge strides toward its goals.

Pingry has been a committed part of Morris Habitat’s community since 2004. From their first bake sale, which raised $200, they have continually contributed through other fundraising activities such as a food stand at a local football game. They also make an effort to advocate. During an “Education Day,” Pingry’s Habitat members taught others about the purpose of Habitat for Humanity. Pingry students are also active participants in construction at Morris Habitat’s home repair sites.

Youth groups from St. Jude Parish in Budd Lake and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Flanders formed a Youth United chapter in 2007. Their initial fundraising effort raised over $4,100 to go toward the Student Build duplex on Hazel St. in Morristown.

West Morris Central High has made huge strides in fundraising for Habitat for Humanity since becoming a Campus Chapter in the spring of 2000. With great membership participation, WMCH’s Campus Chapter organized a school dance to raise $10,000 towards Habitat’s “Home in a Box” project for Gulf Coast hurricane relief. They are very involved with Morris Habitat’s Annual Bike & Hike, and continue to raise awareness about affordable housing issues throughout the community.

In addition to volunteering with Morris and Warren Habitat affiliates, the students have volunteered with community food pantries and have educated their fellow students about poverty issues through poster campaigns.

Mission Statement
The Habitat for Humanity Club works to meet compelling community needs by encouraging teen civic engagement. With local service agencies, corporations and civic-minded individuals as our partners, we link volunteers with meaningful service projects to improve and enhance our communities.