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| Edgewood High School faculty, students, alumni, and parents have been building homes with Habitat for Humanity. (Contributed photo) |
MADISON — Edgewood High School (EHS) has been partnering with Habitat for Humanity of Dane County for the last several months.
Every second Saturday of the month, Edgewood faculty, students, alumni, and parents work together with Habitat volunteers in building homes for needy families.
Habitat’s vision
Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County builds and rehabilitates safe, decent homes with the help of partner families to provide affordable housing.
Habitat’s vision includes “seeking to put God’s love into action in bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope.”
Currently, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County is building homes in Madison, Sun Prairie, and Fitchburg. Edgewood volunteers are working on homes at the Renaissance on the Park in the Fitchburg area. Nineteen more Habitat homes are scheduled to be built in the neighborhood by 2021.
Edgewood volunteers have been painting; installing flooring, cabinets, and siding; and doing the final cleaning before a family moves in.
Service integral part of EHS education
Serving others has always been an integral part of an Edgewood education. To graduate from EHS, all students must complete a minimum of 100 hours of service.
“The service program at Edgewood mobilizes the energy and compassion of our students and empowers them to take action,” said Joan Rundhaug-Witz, religious studies teacher and coordinator of the service program.
“It’s a way they can serve in mission with the Sinsinawa Dominican Sisters and live out the values of Truth, Justice, Compassion, Partnership, and Community. Partnering with Habitat in building a house which becomes a home is a powerful experience for our students, faculty, parents, and alumni. We are excited to be a part of this meaningful project.”
Thanks from Habitat
“A huge thank you to Edgewood High School for representing the heart, soul, and muscle behind Habitat’s work,” said Valerie Johnson Renk, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County CEO. “We’re deeply grateful for every volunteer who shares our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”
One of the homes students worked on was for Brooke, Mario, and their three children. By having a Habitat home and getting their housing costs under control, they’ve opened their family up to life-changing possibilities, including higher education.
Their daughter Yoana is a high school senior. Before Habitat, she planned to get a full-time job and help the family pay its bills. However, she is now planning to attend UW-Madison and wants to be a veterinarian, said her mother.