UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 29, Page 3
April 27, 1995
Taking the challenge; Students worked in the sun during Spring Break

     Over Spring Break, Ray Street's Impact Service Community accepted
the Collegiate Challenge, a program designed by Habitat for Humanity,
and went to Florida to help build homes for victims of the 1993
hurricane Andrew.
     The program was coordinated by ICARE, the Interfaith Coalition
for the Andrew Relief Effort.
     "This was a very positive effort by students to make an impact
outside the campus community, " according to Anthony Albence, a
graduate student in urban affairs and public policy and residence hall
director for Special Interest Housing, who went on the trip.
     "Students came from all over the country," said senior Mike
Skinner, co-president of the Impact Service Community at Ray Street.
"Some had driven 40-50 hours to help out."
     Once there, the students were busy.  They camped at a former
military base on Biscayne Bay.  The day began with a 6 a.m. wake-up.
Some students would go to the construction site from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.,
taking an hour off for lunch--necessary, Skinner said, because of the
90-degree heat.
     The students who did not work on a house for the day would wake
up at 5 a.m., to prepare breakfast and stay at the campsite, making
lunches for the workers. The students also were able to take a day off
so they could relax a little, as well.
     The students said they were surprised at the damage caused by
Hurricane Andrew.  At first glance things seem fine, Albence said, but
a lot of construction was necessary to continue the rebuilding, even
two years after the disaster.
     Skinner said some residence still do not have running water all
the time. Many houses have not been restored yet, and some had to be
cleared away because they were past the point of help.
     The idea of going to Florida over break was brought to Impact's
attention last October by Matt Smith, a member of the service
comunity.
     Skinner and Albence said the experience was "powerful" and
"gratifying."
     "Sometimes it seems that college students don't do that much to
help others," Skinner said.  "But, this was one of the greatest
experiences in my life.  I'd love to be able to do it again next
year."
                                                      --Joell Lanfrank