Youth United is a Habitat for Humanity program run by youth, and for youth, ages 5 to 25. Youth United focuses on giving kids from different backgrounds, faiths and organizations the opportunity to work together to sponsor and build a house with Habitat CFC.
Habitat CFC provides activities that involve youth safely and appropriately in our work. This program gives young people the opportunity to invest directly in their communities and in community service.
Youth United teaches leadership and teamwork skills.
Through Youth United, students gain a better understanding of their communities and the need for affordable housing. All students are engaged in fund-raising, education and advocacy activities and those over 16 help with actual house construction.
The four goals of Youth United:
• Involve youth in their communities.
• Engage youth in Habitat’s mission of eliminating poverty housing.
• Foster teamwork among diverse groups of youth.
• Develop youth leaders.
Habitat CFC Youth United fundraisers include Hoops for Habitat, Car Washes, Tag Sales and other activities.
Hoops for Habitat!
Hoops for Habitat! is a basketball competition fundraiser organized by Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County’s Youth United members. The proceeds from this event go directly into building a Youth United sponsored home.
2010 marked the first event of its kind and drew basketball celebrities Shameka Christon, WNBA player from the NY Liberty team, and Walt Luckett All-American from Kolbe High School.
Planning is underway for Youth United’s Second Annual Hoops for Habitat! basketball competition.
For more information about this or other Youth United events, please contact Phyllis Machledt, Youth United Co-Chair at (203) 521-6630 or email volunteer@habitatcfc.org.
Car Washes, Tag Sales and Other Activities
Youth United, a program dedicated to involving young people aged 5-25, holds various fundraising events throughout the year to raise money to build a Habitat home for a pre-qualified, hard-working, low-income family.
Car Washes. Pep Boys on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport has been the location for past car washes. The youth create signs, advertise this event and then, of course, wash cars for a donation to Habitat. All proceeds go toward building a Habitat CFC Youth United sponosred home.
Tag Sales. Items are collected and/or created and sold throughout the year at Habitat CFC’s ReStore, www.fairfieldcountyrestore.org.
Other Activities. Habitat CFC’s Youth United members have created things like Jacob’s Ladders, birdhouses, step stools and mirrors adorned with beads and shells to help raise funds for the Youth United sponsored home build. For more information on how you can get involved, please contact: Phyllis Machledt, Youth United Co-Chair at (203) 521-6630 or email volunteer@habitatcfc.org.
