Building a “Sweet Home Alabama”The Haddam Killingworth Teen Chapter of Habitat for Humanity is planning a trip to Mobile, Alabama in early April to work on a property that will house a family displaced by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The group is made up of students from Killingworth and Haddam which actively meet throughout the year and have worked on local habitat projects including painting, landscaping and raising awareness. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit agency which builds decent, affordable houses for people of all backgrounds, races and religions. Volunteer labor works with a selected family to build a simple and decent housing. When completed the house is sold to the family at no profit. The trip to Alabama will take place over April school vacation. During their week in Mobile will work on a property in Mobile County which was hit very hard by Hurricane Katrina. Recent statistics note that over 28% of children live in poverty in the county and that over 600 families are without a home. Volunteers for Habitat work on nearly all phases of homebuilding including roofing, siding, painting, although participants ages 16 and 17 are prohibited from excavation, demolition, using power tools and roof work.
The group will stay at the Seton Center in midtown Mobile which is a restored convent and has dormitory type of accommodations. Although much of the week will spent working on the project site the group hopes to be able to enjoy some of the local flavor and attractions.The HK Chapter is looking forward to the experience of helping a disadvantaged family in obtaining a decent and affordable home. Understanding that they are fortunate to have a stable, safe and respectable place to live, members are excited to put their energies to good use. Chaperones for the trip include Cheryl Chandler of Youth and Family Services and parent volunteer, Elizabeth Malloy. Student parents including Deb Olsen, Sheila Muir, Laurie Armstrong, Brian West, Beth Miller and Michael O’Rourke have been active in the planning and logistics of the trip.
Fundraising activities are being planned. If you are interested in learning more about the trip please visit their blog at http://hkhabitatyouthgroup.blogspot.com/. If you are interested in supporting the effort please contact Cheryl Chandler at 345-7498.

Caption for photograph: Haddam Killingworth Teen Chapter of Habitat for Humanity left to right: Jennifer Muir, Hannah Malloy, Allison Armstrong, Grace Malloy, Sarah MacDonald, Kayla O’Rourke (missing are Eric West and Kate Miller).