Youth Volunteers Aim to Make Global Impacts at Youth Leadership Conference
AMERICUS, Ga. (Nov. 4, 2011) – More than 300 Habitat for Humanity youth leaders and volunteers will gather in Indianapolis Nov. 4-6 for Habitat for Humanity International’s Youth Leadership Conference. During the three-day conference, youth leaders and volunteers will celebrate this past year’s accomplishments that assisted families in securing decent, affordable housing.
This year’s theme, “Local action, Global impact,” will allow participants to share their best practices with the hopes that their volunteer and advocacy efforts ripple beyond a weekend project or an alternative break.
“We chose the theme to highlight the worldwide problem of 1.6 billion people without decent shelter, and the importance that each individual plays in making an impact for families in need,” said Allyson Drinnon, Volunteer Mobilization senior specialist. “Habitat youth are doing this by raising funds, building houses, and advocacy work. The conference will provide participants with the opportunity to learn from peers and field experts.”
Workshops focusing on interactive components, like the “Welcome Home Housing Simulation,” will allow youth to gain a deeper understanding of challenges low-income families face when seeking housing. Sessions will also focus on advocacy and policy, disaster response and volunteer recruitment.
In an effort to highlight ongoing collegiate efforts, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill will also be recognized as Youth Program’s Campus Chapter of the Year, for its efforts to eliminate poverty housing among their college’s staff members. Last year the chapter’s student-led Build-a-Block program allowed the chapter to build 10 homes in 2011.
UNC Chapel Hill and their peers will be recognized for their efforts during a celebration dinner hosted by Habitat for Humanity International and State Farm, the national corporate sponsor of Habitat for Humanity International’s youth programs and underwriter of the Youth Leadership Conference 2011. In 2011, 60,000 youth participated in various youth program activities and donated more than 4.6 million to local affiliates.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is a global nonprofit Christian housing organization that seeks to put God’s love into action by bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Since 1976, Habitat has served more than 500,000 families by welcoming people of all races, religions and nationalities to construct, rehabilitate or preserve homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. For more information, to donate or to volunteer, please visit habitat.org, or follow us at facebook.com/habitat or at twitter.com/habitat_org or join Habitat’s blog community at habitat.org/blog.
About State Farm State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of car insurance in the U.S. and State Farm is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, its 17,800 agents and more than 66,000 employees service 81 million policies and accounts – more than 79 million auto, home, life and health polices in the U.S. and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 37 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit statefarm.com or in Canada statefarm.ca.