The IWU chapter of Habitat for Humanity promotes versatility and community through building and volunteering
The organization on campus partners with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County to construct homes for low income families. In the fall, the weather cooperates beautifully with the home-building process.
On Saturday, September 22nd, the first Habitat build for Illinois Wesleyan University’s (IWU’s) chapter occurred.
President of IWU’s chapter, Joelle McMillan, commented on the event, “it went really well. A lot of new faces. It was a good turnout, good weather.”
There were two houses that Habitat members worked on, both within a 10 minute drive from campus. At one of the locations, a group of six started setting up cabinets. Those took turns at cutting wood and drilling into the wall to create future cabinet frames.
After cutting wood, members began scaffolding the structure. While intimidating, only the people most comfortable with heights had to climb onto the structure. The others transported the metal poles and screws that were passed down to them. They made their way to the other side of the house. With the scaffolding relocated, workers can now reach higher places for side paneling.
The build was a great way to diversify one’s abilities, “On top of volunteering and bettering the community, you’re also gaining valuable skills like working with drills, cutting wood, and measuring things” said McMillan.
The club is an opportunity for others to give back. In giving, people can receive, “the purpose of the club on campus is to bring people together.”
If interested in participating in future events, email the club at iwuhabitat@gmail.com.