For spring break, six Siena Heights students and Circulation Service Coordinator Renee Bracey ventured to Atlantic City, Fla., to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity’s Beaches Habitat.

Jam-packed in a minivan, Bracey and students Keegan Pabst, Sissy Phillips, Bradley Boler, Chelsea Coatsworth, Rachel Wellmen-Benedict and Donte Fox traversed the 16-hour journey to Atlantic City. For the duration of the trip, Bracey and her group were provided housing in a Community Presbyterian Church.

“They have a preschool on the ground floor and we stayed in the second floor. … We slept on air mattresses on the floor,” Bracey said. “They had a little kitchenette that was in the second floor, and they also have a huge community kitchen. It’s kind of like a commercial kitchen where we could prepare our meals. We just had bagels and cereal and stuff for breakfast before we went to the build.”

“Beaches Habitat builds entire subdivisions,” she continued. “They bought a seven-and-a-half acre piece of land and put in a road and sewers and all of that kind of stuff. They’re building townhouses. There’s two, three, and four units in these townhouses, and they’re going to put up homes for 70 families.”

On Jan. 21, homes were given to families in the subdivision, and in September another 27 houses will be dedicated.  It will take about another three years to finish the subdivision.

During the day, Bracey and the students were hard at work. They also were able to learn many valuable skills. They learned the strict guidelines for building the houses – because of hurricanes – and how to use the building equipment.

“You don’t just pound one nail,” said Bracey. “You pound two or three.”

Bracey and the students were working alongside families at the build that would be receiving the homes.

“We were working with partner families, which was phenomenal,” she said. “On Friday afternoon, they had a big lunch for us, and one of the family members got up and spoke. She said because of Habitat and owning her own home, she’s going to be able to afford to send her children to college. They have a huge scholarship program down there for the families as well.”

Bracey and four of the students who attended are part of a Habitat campus chapter locally in Lenawee County. During the past year, they sold candy and had bake sales to help pay for the cost of the trip. The chapter is also involved with the affiliate at least once a month.

Bracey said she invites anyone who wants to get involved with Habitat to contact her. She is located in the SHU Library.