University of Richmond to Build Habitat for Humanity House, Enhance Three Henrico Public Schools
March 18, 2005
Students, faculty, staff and alumni of University of Richmond, along with community partners, will come together for a week of community service April 4-9. Their efforts will result in a Habitat for Humanity house and physical improvements at three Henrico County public schools.
Called Build It 2005, the project will impact an eastern Henrico neighborhood. The Habitat house will be constructed in a one-week “blitz build” in Edgelawn, and enhancements will be made to Baker Elementary, John Rolfe Middle and Varina High School, all located near the Edgelawn neighborhood. While landscaping, painting and other projects will take place at the schools April 9, Richmond students have been working all semester on such things as collecting books for libraries, tutoring, helping students prepare for college and conducting research projects.
“Our vision is to make a lasting impact on a community and initiate and incorporate academic studies outside of class,” said Jill Fasching, co-chair of Build It 2005.
Richmond Area Habitat for Humanity and Henrico County Public Schools are partners with the university. Ryan Homes donated $10,000 to the project and is providing planning assistance, said Fasching. Students raised another $50,000 through on-campus fundraising and gifts from private donors.
Students also have negotiated with Habitat to build the home as an environmentally friendly, or “green” home, with energy-saving systems throughout.
Richmond faculty developed writing assignments, research, lectures and roundtable discussions around the initiative and have signed up their classes as groups to work at the blitz-build site.
Co-chair Brandon Boxler said 1,400 “people shifts” are scheduled throughout the week for the blitz-build, and another 1,500–2,000 volunteers will work at the schools on April 9—painting, creating an interactive nature trail, planting gardens and making repairs. He said Build It 2005 is the largest community service project ever undertaken by the university.
For more information, visit www.student.richmond.edu/~buildit.