Habitat for Humanity International and State Farm awarded the grant to support ongoing construction of a home for a family in Burlington, North Carolina.
Elon University’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity is on track to dedicate this spring its 25th house in Alamance County, an effort supported by a matching grant received from Habitat for Humanity International and State Farm.
Student leaders from the chapter recently received a $10,000 matching grant
Housed in the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, Elon’s campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity is celebrating its 27th year of helping nearby residents achieve their goal of home ownership.
Each year, the campus chapter fundraises about $30,000 to sponsor one house in Alamance County. Kernodle Center staff members said that receiving the $10,000 matching grant removes a significant fundraising burden from the organization and allows students to enhance campus education and advocacy efforts.
The grant provides a $10,000 matching grant to supplement what the chapter fundraises throughout the year. Individuals interested in making a contribution towards the match can do so by contacting Evan Small, assistant director of the Kernodle Center for student programs, at esmall@elon.edu.
In November, the chapter was invited by Habitat for Humanity International to present at its Young Leaders Conference, a gathering of campus chapter leaders from around the country. Elon student leaders and advisors traveled with Habitat for Humanity of Alamance County Executive Director Robin Wintringham to Atlanta to present a session titled “Building Together: Best Practices for Campus Chapter/Affiliate Partnerships.”
Elon senior Becca Phillips, co-director of Elon’s Habitat for Humanity chapter, said the conference was a great opportunity to meet with other campus chapters and peers involved with Habitat to collaborate and share best practices.
“Presenting allowed me to share my work in developing strong community partnerships and to strengthen my presentation skills,” she said. “I really enjoyed meeting my peers from other schools who are passionate about service and working on affordable housing.”
Elon’s chapter has more than 250 active members who participate in weekly build projects. Students from the chapter also support the Alamance County Habitat Re-Store.