"I cannot wait until the day they say `Here Alfredo, you can go in. The house is yours,'" says Alfredo Serrano
Angel Serrano wanted his family to have a home of their own so badly, he wrote to Santa Claus last fall to ask for one.
Two weeks later, Christmas came early. That's when the Providence family of five learned they would become homeowners thanks to Habitat for Humanity and many of Santa's helpers - students from the Habitat chapters of Brown, Providence College, Rhode Island College and Wheaton College.
Like most Habitat projects, the house now under construction on Pembroke Street in Providence is being built for a low-income family by volunteers using donated materials. This house, however, is an all-student production. The college students spent about a year laying the groundwork - securing donations of funds and supplies.
Habitat is not a giveaway program, however. Angel's parents, Alfredo and Maria Serrano, both factory workers, will work side-by-side with the students, contributing 500 hours of "sweat equity" on this house and at another Habitat site. In exchange, the Serranos will receive a no-interest mortgage on the 1,300-square-foot Pembroke Street house.
"I cannot wait until the day they say `Here Alfredo, you can go in. The house is yours,'" said Serrano.
The Serranos were among the most excited crew members when framing day finally arrived on March 18. A score of students showed up, eager to swing their hammers under the supervision of a handful of Habitat officials and volunteers like Ed Wojcik, the architect who will take the students through the framing process.
Work began around 9 a.m. that sunny Saturday, and no one seemed to mind the nippy temperatures. The goal was to have all four first-floor exterior walls up by the end of the day, and the rest of framing done within four weekends. The family hopes to move in at the end of the summer.
The students coordinate all aspects of the construction, from finding contractors to getting supplies and - most importantly - raising the funds. The Brown chapter hopes to raise $15,000 toward the overall goal of $60,000. Toward that end, the students have solicited sponsorship from local corporations and small businesses. "We will try to involve all of the Providence community to participate since the money goes to improving their neighborhoods," said Boris Abramov '01, vice president for communications for Habitat Brown.
Brown's Habitat chapter was founded by Kuang Chiang '01 about a year ago. Through her volunteer work at the Central Congregational Church in the fall of 1998, she realized how much fun helping others could be.
"The community service spirit is very much alive at Brown," said Chiang. "Habitat is a well-known organization, so I figured it would be easy to get people involved."
She was right. The Brown chapter now numbers more than 450 students who volunteer to work on sites, raise funds, and coordinate work schedules. Brown students currently are working on two sites - the one on Pembroke Street and another on Putnam Street.
Although there is no shortage of willing hands, funds are always needed to finance Habitat homes. Habitat Brown has stepped up its fund-raising efforts through such events as the April 12 Shacktown, during which members camped out in cardboard boxes on The College Green. There is also talk of a walkathon, and soliciting donations from Thayer and Wickenden Street merchants.
"The most important part of this whole effort is to remember that any help is extremely appreciated," said Chiang. "Participation stresses community, and the more who participate, the more good will come of it."
Those interested in making a contribution of money or supplies may send e-mail.