Instead of catching up on sleep or taking a beach vacation, many college students are swinging hammers and wielding drills during their spring break. Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity is hosting numerous college groups from all over the country this spring. Schools include Michigan Tech, Boston College, St. John Fisher University, Colgate University, University of Alabama, and many others. This provides students a hands-on opportunity to build homes, meet Habitat homebuyers, and learn about the challenges of building affordable housing.

Due to Hurricane Helene, Asheville Habitat is hosting more out of town teams than ever before. “We typically host 4-6 groups in the spring. This year, there are already 19 out of town groups scheduled and nearly three hundred more individuals have expressed interest in coming here to help,” said Construction Services Volunteer Manager, Stephanie Wallace. The organization has added a new Volunteer Associate to help manage the influx of volunteers.

In addition to out of town college groups, there are local schools and groups, as well as Habitat affiliates from all over the country sending volunteer teams: Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and Fredrick Maryland to name a few. And, to further support local recovery and rebuilding efforts, an AmeriCorps NCCC team has been dispatched to Asheville Habitat. The 8-member team is helping through mid-May with Habitat’s disaster home repair work and new home construction. Volunteers are working at various home repair sites throughout Buncombe County and Habitat’s Glenn Bridge neighborhood in Arden.

In a recent period of reflection, one student shared, “I love that future homeowners have a direct handprint on their own home.” Another said, “Even when it was really cold, I didn’t want to be anywhere else.” Whether commenting on the Habitat model, their personal desire to serve, or what they have learned, it is clear volunteers leave with something special at the end of their week with Habitat.