Spring Break
Habitat for Humanity working with students to rebuild homes in Louisiana over spring break
Robert Preliasco
Issue date: 3/15/07 Section: News
03/15/07 - Supplies for spring break: sunscreen, bathing suit, beach towel.
Hammer and nails?
For many students, spring break next week will include long days relaxing on a far-away beach. For 22 University of Rhode Island students, it will mean long hours of construction work with Habitat for Humanity.
The students are participating in URI's second annual Academic Alternative Spring Break. They and 190 other students from across the country will live together in Slidell, La., for six days, where they will help rebuild homes and create new ones for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Gail Faris, assistant director of student life and the Women's Center, and Dean of Pharmacy Don Letendre will accompany the students.
Habitat for Humanity's goal is to build 100 houses in East St. Taminy Parish, where Slidell is located.
Faris, the trip coordinator, sees it as a positive opportunity for students.
"You're working in the community, you get to know some other students pretty well, and you have a good time," she said.
Senior Sulina Mohanty said she is looking forward to next week's trip.
"I wanted to do something meaningful with my spring break this year. I thought this would be a great opportunity," she said.
Other students share her enthusiasm.
"[Alternative Spring Break] sounded like a great way to go somewhere and actually do something meaningful," junior Jeremy Hawkins said.
The trip is offered through a course at the university taught by Faris, Community Service 302. The class is open to all students.
Class topics include poverty, America's working poor, affordable housing and social change. Members also perform various community service projects, including local work for Habitat for Humanity.
Mohanty said she enjoys the community service course.
"For a three-credit class you get to do a lot of good work," she said. "You get a much stronger understanding of the community you're in and a community in another part of the country."
Hammer and nails?
For many students, spring break next week will include long days relaxing on a far-away beach. For 22 University of Rhode Island students, it will mean long hours of construction work with Habitat for Humanity.
The students are participating in URI's second annual Academic Alternative Spring Break. They and 190 other students from across the country will live together in Slidell, La., for six days, where they will help rebuild homes and create new ones for victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Gail Faris, assistant director of student life and the Women's Center, and Dean of Pharmacy Don Letendre will accompany the students.
Habitat for Humanity's goal is to build 100 houses in East St. Taminy Parish, where Slidell is located.
Faris, the trip coordinator, sees it as a positive opportunity for students.
"You're working in the community, you get to know some other students pretty well, and you have a good time," she said.
Senior Sulina Mohanty said she is looking forward to next week's trip.
"I wanted to do something meaningful with my spring break this year. I thought this would be a great opportunity," she said.
Other students share her enthusiasm.
"[Alternative Spring Break] sounded like a great way to go somewhere and actually do something meaningful," junior Jeremy Hawkins said.
The trip is offered through a course at the university taught by Faris, Community Service 302. The class is open to all students.
Class topics include poverty, America's working poor, affordable housing and social change. Members also perform various community service projects, including local work for Habitat for Humanity.
Mohanty said she enjoys the community service course.
"For a three-credit class you get to do a lot of good work," she said. "You get a much stronger understanding of the community you're in and a community in another part of the country."
