Habitat for Humanity builds homes, fills hearts

Daily Nebraskan

Since its Lincoln chapter was founded 21 years ago, Habitat for Humanity has built 99 homes, providing housing for 467 people with the help of donations from local residents and organizations.

Jose Castro, a freshman accounting major at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, wanted to be part of this non-profit organization as a way to give back to the community.

"We did some painting and then helped put together some of the walls for a house they are in the process of building," Castro said.

Volunteers do everything from painting to actually building the houses. Habitat for Humanity volunteers can work throughout the day from about 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

"I liked helping at Habitat for Humanity because it's an efficient way to spend four hours getting something done in your own community," Castro said.

From skilled volunteers to ones who have never held a hammer before, Habitat for Humanity can teach anyone who is willing to help out.

"There is no experience needed," said Nancy Muehling, executive director of the Lancaster County Habitat for Humanity. "We do anything that is required, whether that be putting up dry wall or erecting walls on the foundation."

Veteran volunteers are able to help newcomers develop the skills needed to work on whatever is at hand.

"Most of the guys I was with didn't have experience, but everyone was really good at giving us step-by-step by instructions," Castro said.

The homeowners are picked based on various criteria and volunteer their own time to help build houses instead of having to pay the down payment.

Jeremy Mohr, a junior entrepreneurial business management major at UNL, said he found the experience very rewarding.

"I didn't know much about this organization until I helped out," Mohr said. "Without Habitat for Humanity, a lot of families in Lincoln would be homeless."

Castro also said working on the houses that families would later live in was gratifying.

"There are a bunch of pictures in the office of houses that Habitat has built and blueprints of the houses in the making," Castro said. "They showed us which of the walls we built, so it was cool because we knew where our work was going."

Muehling thinks Habitat for Humanity is a great place for anyone to spend his or her time volunteering.

"Our volunteers tells us over and over how enjoyable working here is," Muehling said, "It's a great feeling."

kellymorris@dailynebraskan.com