Habitat for Humanity hauled tools and donated building materials to Library Mall for a unique building project to raise awareness for homelessness Friday.
For several hours, members of Habitat for Humanity stayed at Library Mall, creating a shack out of cardboard boxes and Duct Tape. The shack, members said, was designed to show the actual living conditions of people in poverty around the world.
To help raise awareness, group members painted facts on the shack itself, which sparked attention in passersby. The sides of the shack stated a large number of people in the United States are homeless, and one in six city dwellers lives in a slum.
“Shack-a-thon” was the final event in a weeklong campaign by Habitat for Humanity called “Act, Speak, Build.” It was designed to raise awareness for homelessness and the conditions of billions worldwide that have inadequate housing.
Habitat for Humanity Education Director Hannah Barnes said the goal of the event was for “people to realize that [building] is not just about fun. We want people to see that others live in these conditions.”
Although the cardboard construction had to be dismantled at 4 p.m., in the six hours that it stood, many students stopped to ask questions. Several inquired into the meaning and purpose of the project, and members were eager and willing to answer any questions.
One student, Jill Trotter, a UW sophomore majoring in psychology, said she liked what Habitat for Humanity was doing.
“It’s eye-opening because it makes you realize that people live like this,” Trotter said after looking at the shack.
Trotter said she believes it is important to raise awareness of the poverty and living conditions, and she supports Habitat for Humanity’s work.
According to UW Habitat for Humanity advocacy director Kaela Lapp, the hope is that events such as Shack-a-thon will not only get the name of Habitat for Humanity out there, but also help raise awareness.
She said she loves Habitat for Humanity because “doing this, you really know you’re making a difference.”
Stephanie Karshna, treasurer for Habitat for Humanity, said she enjoys the organization because it is perfect for people who are looking for volunteer opportunities.
“People can do different things; there’s a wide variety of things available to do,” Karshna said.
Barnes agreed Habitat for Humanity is not just about building projects, but also about advocacy and education.
Members enjoy the traditional building aspect of the organization, which builds and rehabilitates homes for families in need, because they like making an impact on their community. Meeting the family, speaking with them and hearing their story is what makes building with Habitat special, Barnes said.
Habitat for Humanity is an international Christian nonprofit organization that has built more than 350,000 homes around the world, according to its site. The UW chapter has pursued Habitat for Humanity’s mission on campus for more than a decade.