Thank you to everyone that supported Panther Habitat for Humanity on our service trip to Fort Lauderdale, Florida! The Broward County Habitat for Humanity is working on one of Habitat’s largest housing projects that they have ever attempted, and we were fortunate enough to take part in it. The project is expected to consist of over 70 homes for families that need them, but right now they’re working on completing the first seven.

Though the long drive to get there was tiring at times, it enabled us to make new friends and gain a sense of group comradery. Throughout our time in Fort Lauderdale, we stayed at the Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, in a beautiful camping area with access to cabins, the beach, and a common area in the main cabin where we had home cooked meals by wonderful volunteers from our group, game nights, and circle time, a time of reflection at the end of every day for everyone to share their highest and lowest moments.

Our trip in Fort Lauderdale lasted for 5 days, since we split both the drive down and back over two days. Monday was our day off, and we chose to spend that time at Miami Beach where we got to know each other, spent some time in the sun and the sea, and some of us even caught a glimpse of Jennifer Lawrence. Tuesday through Friday consisted of construction workdays with the Broward County affiliate, which started at 7:15 a.m. and went until around 2 p.m. Every day, we were split into groups and given a task such as roofing, painting, and cleaning.

Each of the groups had their own volunteer construction leader, and most of them had been working with Habitat for over twenty years and some of them had even built with Jimmy Carter, so the stories they told us were both inspiring and incredible. By the end of the week, we had 35 people each dedicate almost 30 hours of service, which is almost 1,050 hours in total, in fact, we completed the work that the affiliate had planned for us so fast that we put them ahead of schedule in preparation for their next group of volunteers. We also had a chance to meet and work alongside some of the future homeowners, which only made our perspective of the experience even deeper, because it allowed us to connect with the real people whose homes we were building. Not only did others benefit from our service, but I like to believe we all did as well. For first timers on a Habitat for Humanity workday, they learned to work in teams, build friendships, and best of all, how to hold a hammer.

This spring break truly was one of the best weeks of our lives; thanks again to all the people that helped make that happen and supported us along the way, we could not have done it without you!

Hello, everyone! With the campaign closing today, February 15, at 11:59 PM, we are in our final fundraising push. Because of the gracious support of our donors, we have raised $2,840 towards our $4,000 goal.

We cannot thank you enough for donation to our campaign. If you are able to tell friends, family, or coworkers about our project, it could be extremely helpful towards our cause. All donations directly fund our transportation, food, and supply costs as we travel to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to work with the Broward County affiliate to build their Rick Case Habitat Community. When completed, the community will consist of 77 new, affordable, and safe Habitat homes.

Thank you again for your donation and continued support as we cross the finish line of our crowdfunding campaign!

Two years ago, I decided to join Panther Habitat for Humanity, and it's safe to say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. Over these past few years, one of the most important things I've learned from this club (more than learning how to shingle a roof!) is how to build a community. People come and go in this club, they graduate and move on to great things, but they'll never forget that moment when they had to build a bathroom with one contact lens in, when they built a closet in a 35-degree house, or when they used a circular saw for the first time. Getting people involved in this club is more than just inviting them on a workday, it's creating a community that will outlive you, among people who are willing to give their all to help.

When I stepped into the role of vice president this year, one of my goals was to ensure that no matter what happens, what continues to be at the heart of this club is a welcoming community. Our spring break trip to Fort Lauderdale, FL this upcoming March is going to be one heck of a time, not just because we have cabins with beach access ????, but because it's an opportunity to grow our community and inspire a new generation of Habitat volunteers. There are so many new faces coming with us that are about to experience one of the most moving and inspirational weeks of their lives. I can't wait to see what happens this year, and I appreciate anything you are willing to give to help us ensure that each one of our club members can afford to be there.

With just five days left in our campaign, we have fundraised $1,485! Your contribution will help us provide affordable, safe housing to local families in the Fort Lauderdale area. Please help us reach our goal by sharing our page link with your family and friends!

I first became aware of Habitat for Humanity when I was a sophomore after my older brother, who was a senior at the time, brought me to a meeting on campus. I was immediately welcomed into the club and went on my first work day that week. And though I was not familiar with hanging drywall or shingling, I slowly became accustomed to the work and fell in love with the impact I was making in the Pittsburgh community.

After a few more work days and an inspiring trip to Winston-Salem, NC, Panther Habitat has become a place of refuge for me. I never thought I’d enjoy putting up drywall, climbing a roof, or nailing down shingles. But I do. Because I see how the dirt, sweat, and early mornings bring to life the spirit in us. It feels good to do good. We don’t often meet the families we help, and I know my impact alone is microscopic. But I build anyway. because when I’m on that roof, in that house cutting drywall, outside sawing 2x4’s, I look around and see a team of passionate individuals who have come together to try to make a change, working for a cause larger than any one of us. I see a beautiful expression of care and compassion in a world that is callous and self-absorbed. It lifts up my heart to know there are loving souls like this out there in the world, toiling away for what seems like nothing, with the conviction that they can transform a community, a home, a family’s life, if only they give a little bit of their time and energy on a weekend, or for a week in March. This belief in a common cause binds us. And I see this bond at every meeting, on every workday I attend, during social events and in passing. It is what has helped me become who I am today, having been given so much in return: friends, purpose, acceptance, healing.

I am blessed because of it, and it is why I build.

Hope everyone enjoyed Super Bowl Sunday! 

With 11 days left in our campaign, we have raised 23% of our goal. Thank you for your continued support as we work to raise money for our Fort Lauderdale trip!

Did you know that Habitat for Humanity works in about 1,400 communities across the United States and in about 70 countries? Because of Habitat, more than 13 million people have affordable, safe homes!

I joined Panther Habitat for Humanity at the beginning of my sophomore year because I started going to meetings with some of my friends and went on a few workdays. I got my first real experience with Habitat while going on the spring break trip that year where I really got to see the difference that Habitat makes in peoples lives and this began my passion for the club. The impact that this club has had on my life is indescribable. It is more than just a group of people that builds houses and advocates for affordable housing. That is the backbone, what binds us together and makes us strong, but it is not the end of the story. Our backbone supports families, gives homes to veterans and single mothers who need someone to believe them.

The club is able to put love and care into the integral structures of someone’s home. We put in the flooring that people will remember long after Panther Habitat’s contribution is forgotten. Our backbone supports our club through friendships and unbreakable bonds. This club is more than just a group of people doing service hours, it is a profoundly caring community who loves each other and those who need some help to thrive. 

This year I became President of Habitat and have gone on countless workdays. My mission has been to get more people involved in Habitat and to help as many people as possible by providing affordable housing as it becomes more and more of a crisis in the world. I have been working this year to grow our club’s presence on campus and to advocate for the importance of our mission. We have added many new members to the club and are hoping to use spring break as a way to grow our club even more and help people in Fort Lauderdale. 

Hello everyone, and happy Monday!

With 18 days left in the campaign, we have raised $295, or just over 7% towards our goal of $4,000.

Thank you for support, and we look forward to the rest of our campaign as we prepare to travel to Fort Lauderdale!  

Habitat for Humanity began the Collegiate Challenge in the late 80s. Since then, more than 250,000 college students have donated their school breaks to create affordable housing across the United States.

Your donation helps us contribute to this incredible program!

After a little less than a week into the campaign, we are so happy to see the progress being made!

My name is Chelsea Hancock, and I am a junior at the University. I am one of the EngagePitt campaign leaders and the fundraising coordinator for Panther Habitat for the 2018-2019 school year. This campaign has been in the works for about three months, and I could not be more proud of the efforts made by the club to set it in motion! We are beyond thankful for your support and are looking forward to reaching out fundraising goal in order to significantly reduce the cost on our members to spend their spring break working in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to create and repair affordable housing.

This trip to Fort Lauderdale will be my third spring break trip with Panther Habitat. Two years ago, my freshman year of college, we traveled to Birmingham, Alabama. I had no idea what to expect, and I was excited to donate my time to a cause greater than myself. Selfishly, the main draw of the trip was the extensive amount of volunteer hours I would walk away with. I could not have predicted that I would leave Birmingham with something I did not realize I was lacking: perspective. Needless to say, I chose to participate in last year’s Winston-Salem trip and this year’s Fort Lauderdale without hesitation.

Habitat has become an anchor for me, a method of grounding myself when unimportant issues cloud my vision. I volunteer and build houses and raise money, and many people tell me that I am selfless for that. However, I have always found this to be extremely curious because I feel like I personally benefit too much from the work for it to be considered selfless.   

I build because I love the organization and what it stands for; I build because I enjoy the manual labor; I build because I love the club members and appreciate the friendships that I have formed as a result; I build because I am in constant need of perspective.

With your support, we help to provide affordable, safe housing to those in need. Thank you for supporting us in the goal!