By Kathy Lefler/Communications & Marketing Manager
We’re excited about a new volunteer partnership that connects students of all ages and skills with our ReStore and supports our work.
Christine Moser, volunteer coordinator at Wichita Habitat, said it’s a partnership that was born out of a need to involve youth under the age of 16 in Habitat’s work.
Volunteers are vital to the work of Habitat for Humanity, Christine said, noting they build alongside the families who purchase Habitat homes, help at our ReStore discount home improvement store and serve in so many other ways. However, necessary safety concerns mean that volunteers need to be 16 and older to volunteer with us.
Christine often hears from youth under 16 who want to volunteer with Habitat. Christine is very innovative in her approach to her job so she has coordinated a new program that connects middle and high students in the AVID program and Wichita State University students in Engineers Without Borders. AVID, Advancement Via Individual Determination, is a college readiness system designed to increase school-wide learning and performance. The WSU Engineers without Borders chapter is part of WSU Tech. They actively support community-driven development programs by collaborating with local partners to design and implement sustainable engineering projects, while creating transformative experiences and responsible leaders.
Christine worked with the two groups to find the best way for everyone to be involved and make a difference. The end result: The engineers have created three types of kits that the AVID students will put together. The kits are for birdhouses, planters and benches. Once completed, these will be sold at our ReStore at 601 N. West St. The proceeds will be used to support Wichita Habitat’s work.
We caught up with engineering students Matt, Jonathan and Irene last week when they dropped off birdhouse kits for the students at Coleman Middle School. The planter and bench kits were later delivered to Stucky Middle School and South High School.
The students at Coleman were excited to see the kits and are looking forward to assembling them!
Stay tuned for a date when the finished kits will be delivered to ReStore and you can come purchase a birdhouse, planter or bench!
Jonathan and Matt with the kits. 
Irene and a section of the birdhouse kits. They are painted Shocker black and yellow! 
The students at Coleman Middle School are excited to assemble the kits.