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Monali Patel
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Local youth travels to Tennessee to help Habitat for Humanity
East Windsor, NJ [(June 11, 2010)] –Monali Patel, a high school student from East Windsor, is joining other youth from across the country to help build a Habitat home in Tennessee as part of Habitat for Humanity International’s “Learn and Build Experience.”
Habitat’s Learn and Build Experience is a summer program that provides youth ages 16 to 18 the opportunity to get involved with Habitat’s mission of ending substandard housing through a week of building and learning about poverty housing. Patel is one of 16 individuals selected for the June 20-26, alternative break trip in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“I am so excited to spend part of my summer break volunteering with Habitat,” said Patel. “Not only do I get the wonderful experience of helping a family build their new home, I also get to meet new people from all over the nation. As an aspiring doctor, this is the most enjoyable ways I could probably spend my summer because I will be doing what I want to do the rest of my life, helping others.”
Overall, 80 students across the country will attend one of five weeklong summer service learning trips, partnering with a Habitat affiliate in Tennessee, Mississippi or Washington. Students will also spend time in the community learning about the need for affordable housing.
“During the course of the week, this diverse group of young people will build friendships and hope,” said Desiree Adaway, Habitat’s senior director of Volunteer Mobilization. “It’s an incredible opportunity for young people to contribute to Habitat’s mission, to better understand housing issues in communities across the United States and to see the real impact they can make.”
In addition to being a Habitat for Humanity Learn and Build Experience participant, Patel is also involved in volunteering at Princeton Hospital, Meadow Lakes Senior Center, and her local library. At school, she is a varsity member and captain of the girl’s tennis team, President of her schools Red Cross Club, Vice President of the Future Business Leaders of America, and Innovative Director for Future Medical Leaders of America. She was also inducted into the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society during this year.
Habitat for Humanity’s Learn and Build Experience is one of many Habitat youth programs that work to capture the imagination, energy and hope of young people worldwide, ages 5 to 25. Major support for the Learn and Build Experience comes from the Seedlings Foundation.
About Habitat for Humanity International
Habitat for Humanity International is an ecumenical Christian ministry that welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built, rehabilitated, repaired or improved more than 350,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1.75 million people. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org.
