What are HFHI’s youth programs?

Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs are a collection of resources and programs that seek to capture the imagination, energy and hope of young people worldwide, ages 5 to 25, in order to productively and responsibly involve them as leaders in the work of Habitat.

Read about the latest innovations and milestones from Habitat’s youth programs in the 2007 Summary Report (pdf).

What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit Christian ecumenical housing ministry. We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses and had a presence in 100 countries. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity, please take the online tour.

How have Habitat’s youth programs developed?
In November 1987, Baylor University in Waco, Texas, became the first university to form its own student-led, student-initiated Habitat for Humanity organization. The Habitat for Humanity International Board of Directors approved the Youth Programs department in December 1987. High school students became a part of the youth programs family in 1988 when Marist School in Atlanta, Ga., formed the first secondary school campus chapter. The first international chapter was chartered in 1991 at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Since 1987, more than 800 chapters have been chartered worldwide. While the vast majority of these student clubs are based in the United States, campus chapters exist in 35 countries. Collegiate Challenge was started in 1989 to provide young people the opportunity to serve Habitat during their school breaks, and continues to grow two decades later.

As the department's programs expanded internationally, the Youth Programs department recognized that other youth program models were needed for those areas where schools were not close by or where the youth had graduated. Begun in the Philippines in 2001, community youth groups (CYGs) allow an entire community to be involved.

For more than 20 years, we have been focused on creating and improving tools and programs that engage youth in this mission. In 2008, Youth Programs joined forces with other departments within Habitat for Humanity International, including Global Village and the International and Domestic Volunteer Programs, to form the Volunteer Mobilization department. We look forward to continued success in supporting young people in furthering Habitat’s mission, and building our future leaders.

What do we do?
Habitat for Humanity International staff work to support Habitat’s youth programs, supporting national organizations and affiliates in promoting youth involvement. We are also responsible for providing ongoing support to youth volunteers and those that support them through resources, training and special programs. We help young people involved in Habitat for Humanity set up special events, participate in travel service teams and engage in decision-making at the local level. We also serve as a liaison between individual campus chapters and community youth groups and other Habitat for Humanity International departments. Staff members are stationed in the field and at Habitat for Humanity International headquarters in Americus, Ga.

What do we believe?
We believe that young people are the builders and leaders of today and tomorrow. In that spirit, we seek to offer young people opportunities to partner with Habitat for Humanity in a sustained and productive way. We seek to create nurturing environments where youth can develop skills in community leadership and teamwork while providing continued valuable resources toward the elimination of poverty housing.

How can young people join in Habitat for Humanity's work? It's easy!

Volunteer locally. To start working at the local level in the U.S., contact your local affiliate and ask what opportunities they have for youth volunteers.

Outside the U.S., contact your local affiliate or an area coordinator.

Check out our Programs page to learn more about the programs we offer and how you can get involved.

Contact us at youthprograms@habitat.org or (800) HABITAT, Ext. 2412, for more information.