Caleb's Community Service

This past Spring Break between Tuesday, March 12 through Saturday, March 16 Caleb spent time volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that builds homes for the less fortunate. Founded in 1976, they have experienced and dedicated volunteers who lead new volunteers to build homes from the ground up. All their operations are funded through donations from individuals as well as charities around the world. They also have stores around the country to sell furniture, instruments and home decor. To best serve the communities they work in, they will select the most qualified applicant out of a pool of applicants in which they will then build the home for.

Through a program called Alternative Spring Break created by the Center for Leadership and Service, Caleb was selected to be one of 14 other student volunteers. He, his Sustainable Global Business & Technology classmate Marlee, alongside other students participated in a week of coordinated community service initiatives that furthered the development of the home. He worked alongside with the experienced volunteer contractors to first learn how to use many of the power tools and other equipment then applied his new-found knowledge accordingly. He helped to install the foundation for the roof of the home, the front stairs, numerous windows, and other actions.

This project was also based in the Jersey Shore, a region Caleb is very familiar with, so he assisted the team in finding delicious dining locations as well as convenient spots to hang out after a day’s work. When the work was completed for the day, the group traveled to landmark locations in and near Asbury such as Pete and Elda’s, The Asbury Park Boardwalk, and his personal favorite Purple Glaze Donut Shop. Overall, the experience was both fulfilling and a very enjoyable way to spend spring break in his final collegiate year. He was especially grateful to have met the future homeowner and to witness how thankful she was for Kean University’s contribution towards her soon-to-be home.

In a society where there are homeless and hungry people, entire communities that are poverty stricken. Residual effects of our dark history still weighing heavily on foreigners and those brought to this land by force. Racism, violence, and systemic oppression among so many other consequential factors it was a humbling and heartfelt experience performing community service in this capacity. He is quite appreciative of the 4-day experience and highly recommends students to apply come next year’s spring break.

Also, a special thank you is due to the Office of Student Government 2018-2019 as they generously paid the fare for all 15 student volunteers after Caleb drafted a proposal to use excess cash.