Liberty students volunteer with Habitat for Humanity to build home for mother and daughter

As part of an ongoing partnership with Altavista Area/Campbell County Habitat for Humanity, Inc., Liberty University students have spent multiple weekends this semester assisting other volunteers in building a home for a local family.

Since the start of the semester, Liberty students have traveled to Altavista every weekend to join a team of volunteers constructing the 2023 home. Last weekend, students with Liberty’s Eagle Scholars Program and the Habitat for Humanity Club assisted with installing insulation, moving supplies, spreading grass seed and other tasks.

“It’s always been a joy to give up part of a Saturday morning to look outside of (myself) and recognize that there are other people on this earth that matter more than me,” said junior Caleb Proenza, who is a member of the Eagle Scholars. “My sleep doesn’t matter that much compared to the ultimate destination of someone else’s life. The eternal reward is far greater than whatever we can find here on this earth.”

Each year, Altavista Area/Campbell County Habitat for Humanity, Inc. partners with one to two eligible families to construct new homes. Selected families must contribute “sweat equity hours” working alongside the volunteers, and after the home is completed, the family agrees to pay a zero-interest mortgage on the house. Because the home is built largely by volunteers, this monthly mortgage payment, including escrows, is around $300.

This year’s Habitat partner is Tiffany and her 10-year-old daughter. Tiffany’s home will be dedicated on Dec. 17 and she and her daughter will move in before Christmas. Tiffany said she was excited about her new home and expressed gratitude for the help from all of the volunteers.

“It feels great to know that the community will help out a stranger. It’s great for them to do that and spare their time,” she said.

Rhonda Shreve, executive director for the Altavista Area/Campbell County Habitat for Humanity, said there is a high need for affordable housing in the area. She referenced the most recent ALICE survey, unitedforalice.org, that found 44% percent of Campbell County families have a need. There are 34% living below the ALICE threshold (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). These are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty level but less than the basic cost of living; another 10% of households are living in poverty.

 “This home will not only serve as a safe, affordable home for Tiffany and her daughter now; it is a way for her to build family wealth,” Shreve said. “She will be paying a mortgage and growing the value of the home for herself and future generations of her family. That can be an almost impossible goal to achieve for the families we work with.”

Shreve noted that multiple groups work together to make the home a reality. Donations are made of time, money and other resources from many local individuals, churches, businesses, and school groups, including Liberty students.

Frank DiGregorio serves as the director of the Eagle Scholars, a two-year program that provides high-achieving first- and second-year Liberty students, regardless of major, personal and professional development that cultivates leadership skills for college and beyond. This year, second-year students in the program were asked to choose one of four Saturday mornings to serve with Habitat.

“We’re thrilled to be here,” DiGregorio said, noting that Eagle Scholars has partnered with Habitat since 2014. “We’re thrilled to be part of it every year and do our (part). For some of our students, this is the first time they are picking up a hammer, and some of them are really good at it and have done (construction) a lot in their lives. It’s a nice way for us to get off campus and serve the community. Part of being a leader is making sure that you give to your community and spread Christ’s love.”

Eagle Scholars participate in multiple other service opportunities, including an annual sophomore trip to Washington, D.C. Last year, students on the trip served in pregnancy centers as well as with Jill’s House, which provides short-term care for families with children that have intellectual disabilities.

“I personally love serving, whether it’s in the church or in the community,” sophomore Joy Harmon said. “It’s a great way for us to be the hands and feet of Christ and show His love in a way that isn’t through words.”

Eagle Scholars is currently accepting applications for Fall 2024. Incoming students interested in joining can apply through the program’s website.

Liberty’s Habitat for Humanity Club, which is run by faculty advisor and School of Business professor Alison Pettit, has sent students to the house every Saturday since move-in week. Since the club’s creation in 2014, they have participated in the construction of 15 homes and fully funded four of them. Students interested in joining the club can contact Pettit at adpettit@liberty.edu.