"Building Houses…Building Hope"

Chai, life, "18" -- is exactly what eighteen student volunteers gave over February break.

They spent many hours involved in hard labor, meticulously following instructions, under the careful scrutiny of Dave, the tough Project Manager. For most, this was their first time sanding walls, applying "mud" with a sharp edged painter’s spatula, sweeping debris, using a huge floor vacuum, painting walls while carefully avoiding the window and closet moldings, hauling lumber or shoveling pounds of rocks into buckets. Our volunteers were dedicated workers and the tasks were strenuous. Watching our students interact with Gary, the Swingin’ Senior, who guided them with warmth and humor, observing how they listened attentively to Richard Miller, the executive director of the Old York Renaissance Project, as he shared his personal story and guided them through "the neighborhood" or seeing them play a highly competitive basketball game ( a boys’ and a girls’ game) with a group of African American high school teens who are part of the "QOP" (Quantum Opportunities Program) absolute "nachas" It was hard for our students to think about "not having a home" or of not "qualifying for a home" and this realization is a goal of the mission.

We met Chabad Rabbi Elazar Green who made it comfortable for us to eat heartily and also with Rebbetzin Buci at the shul, Degel Israel, who prepared our breakfast meals, after davening, and also provided boxed lunches. The kids were thrilled to go bowling in the evening (with a mural of Amish people on the back walls) and took great pleasure in just having fun together, laughing. Our "closing banquet" was at Franklin & Marshall College where we were welcomed by the admissions director who offered a warm and friendly quick campus tour and guided us to KIVO where we had our closing "banquet."

Are you feeling tired yet? Our students’ enthusiasm and energy was unmatched (well, except for the 7am wake up)!