Habitat Volunteers Continue Learning Outside the Classroom

by Heather Wilkinson

Danita Shelton built in Ecuador in 2004 as part of a Women Build Global Village event.

Veracruz volunteer Danita Shelton is no stranger to the Habitat for Humanity build site--or to any build site for that matter. The electrician and member of Local 235 from Detroit, Mich., has been on a Global Village trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador, and has worked with the Habitat affiliate in Greensboro, N.C.

Danita first got involved with Habitat while she was studying electrical installation and maintenance. As part of her schooling she was required to participate in a Habitat build, so she worked with other volunteers to help the Greensboro, N.C., affiliate build four houses in eight days

Danita credits her Habitat volunteer work with helping to give her the experience she needed to prepare for and land her current job. "Working with Habitat helped prepare me for the workforce, and I wanted to do something to give back," she said. "I wouldn't have my current job if it hadn't been for my experience with Habitat. I feel that it's the least I can do."

Danita plans to continue working with Habitat after the JCWP 2004. She will build with families in need at the JCWP 2005 in Michigan and hopes to lead a team of employees from her company on a Global Village trip as part of the company's diversity training program. "The best way to learn about diversity is not sitting in a classroom," she said. "The more you are able to learn about other cultures, the more accepting you are."