Habitat for Humanity Looks Better Than Ever!

05/20/2014

Today I paid a visit to the Ulster County Habitat for Humanity Restore today in preparation for the summer and the whole experience brought up some emotions in me that I thought I’d share with you.

HABITAT IS AWESOME!!!

Ulster Habitat started the Restore project after Hurricane Irene tore through the Catskills, leaving many homes, roads, and businesses in disrepair. Habitat immediately moved into the area and created a hub-project with a Restore and offices to manage multiple work sites. A Restore is like a secondhand store for refurbished, high-quality furniture and household equipment. The idea is that if you build a house for someone, it’s great! But if they can’t furnish it, then you really haven’t taken them all the way there. So the Restore helps people furnish their homes and make them comfortable places to live. Additionally it raises money to help fund additional Habitat projects.

Once Habitat started the Restore Project, Frost Valley YMCA got involved with their Teen Adventure Trips. The results have been fabulous. Our campers have helped out on multiple projects and the Habitat for Humanity staff have been instrumental in imparting the importance of giving back. What could be better that that!?

This year the Habitat Restore has finally opened (the opening event was actually attended by some of our Frost Valley camper/volunteers who helped make the Restore possible!). We’re gearing up for another amazing summer where the partnership with Ulster County Habitat for Humanity is stronger than ever and we can really make a positive impact on our community!

There is still limited space on the Habitat Adventure Trips, if you know a camper who’s 14-17 years old and loves to help others, tell them to contact me, Lincoln McLain the Adventure Director at (adventure@frostvalley.org) for more information!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Zach eigenbrodt

Born and raised in Wisconsin, Zach couldn't keep himself out of the woods when growing up. He started working at a Northern Wisconsin YMCA Camp as a wilderness trip leader while in college and fell in love with getting kids into nature. The smiles on kids faces after returning from a once in a life time wilderness experience is why he is here today. Zach brought his talents to Frost Valley YMCA, in 2014, when he started as the Trips Coordinator and soon was promoted to Adventure Director. Zach loves all forms of Wilderness exploration, though some would say his heart lies most with canoeing.