If these walls could talk

Food, water, shelter.

Habitat for Humanity provides people across the country with one of life's basic needs – a home of their own.

“It’s a great opportunity to take a really active role in the community,” an opportunity which students don’t get very often, said Sean Fick, president of the IU chapter of “Habitat.”

The IU branch works with its parent group, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County. The campus group’s three main fundraisers each year are the Bucket 100, which is a bike race to West Lafeyette against the IU chapter’s Purdue counterparts; a 5K run/walk; and Rake-a-Thon, an event in which volunteers raise money by raking community members’ lawns. The Rake-a-Thon takes place this year Nov. 15-16 and Nov. 22-23. Students can sign up on the Rake-a-Thon Web site to volunteer.

Fick said IU’s chapter of Habitat raised $25,000 from all its fundraising activities last year, which is enough to pay for half a house.

The organization also chooses three or four locations each year for alternative spring-break trips to build houses. Frick estimated each student spends $250 to $300 on travel expenses and said the trips are open to anyone, though members get priority.

There are 150 active student members in the campus organization, Fick said, as well as others who help out. Membership is currently based on a point system, where work has various point values; 30 points are required for a year’s membership, while Fick said a half-day of building would earn someone 12 points.

Of the 1,400 volunteers Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County had last year, 351 were IU students, said Rebecca Mankowski, Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County volunteer coordinator. Habitat also has student volunteer positions beyond construction, including painting, fundraising and office work.

“We provide lots of opportunities to give back to the community in whatever way you are able,” Mankowski said.

The structure of their volunteer program also encourages new and returning members, Mankowski said. Habitat looks for volunteers for leadership positions who will train other volunteers and make sure they have a good experience, she said. This way, the organization has a steady stream of labor, despite the high turnover rate for college students.

Kerry Thomson, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County, said people must meet three criteria to qualify for a house: They must show a need for the house, be willing to partner with Habitat and be able to pay an interest-free mortgage.

Thomson said Habitat does not simply give the house to those in need, a common misconception. Rather, they make it easier for someone to buy their own home.

Every year, Habitat builds eight to 10 houses in Bloomington, which Thomson said is the least affordable place to live in Indiana, based on a ratio of average income compared to housing prices.

“We change the life of a family, forever, and we do that one house at a time,” Thomson said.