Caroline Deale ’17 uses a nail gun to stabilize roof trusses at a Habitat for Humanity work site.
Photo by Christina Eggenberger
Forty-five University of Mary Washington students and staff advisers donated their time over spring break to rebuild and rehabilitate houses in needy communities.
UMW’s student-run Community Outreach and Resources (COAR) team organized alternative spring break trips in Mobile, Alabama; Maryville, Tennessee; and Palm Bay, Florida. At each location, the students collaborated with Habitat for Humanity to help eliminate substandard housing.
Kelly Bryant, a senior psychology major, co-led the trip to Alabama this year for her third alternative spring break.
“It is such a cool experience to learn how to hammer, square a house, and put up roof trusses, all in the pursuit of giving someone a better life,” Bryant said. “It makes me so happy and proud to know that with my one short week I have made a lasting difference in someone’s life.”
For some students, one trip is all it takes to change their perception of spring break.
“After working with Habitat for Humanity last year, I couldn’t imagine spending my break any other way,” said sophomore international affairs major Caitriona Cobb.
Alternative spring break is part of Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge, which calls students to aid impoverished communities. In the past 26 years, about 230,100 students have participated in the program nationwide. UMW has been involved in the program for at least 18 years, according to Christina Eggenberger, director of service in UMW’s Center for Honor, Leadership, and Service.