 "Photo: Corliss Pauling")
Owning a home is a dream that is often out of reach. But volunteers from N.C. Central University, Duke University and the Durham chapter of Habitat for Humanity are working hard to make that dream come true for one family and build a house.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the future home of Tijuanda Farrington and her daughter Constance was held on Martin Luther King Day at 615 Hickory Street in the Eagle Village community.
Participants at the ceremony signed their names on pieces of framing lumber that were used to make the walls of the home.
Saturday morning, a few inches of snow from the night before covered the worksite.
Consequently, the morning shift of student volunteers was cancelled, but the clouds broke and the sun came out just in time for the afternoon shift.
Jesus and Christian from Habitat for Humanity shoveled snow off the construction site and prepared tools and supplies for the volunteers.
"It was great to finally be outside putting the walls up for Ms. Farrington's home," said Deborah Bailey, director of the Academic Community Service Learning Program at NCCU.
"We really have not been able to work since MLK day because of bad weather."
The weather didn't stop NCCU's history department faculty from representing their Eagle pride.
Jerry Gershenhorn, associate professor of history, demonstrated his facility with a hammer and showed students how to straighten a nail that failed to go in cleanly.
"The most rewarding aspect of the experience is the feeling that you are doing something that is going to have a direct impact on improving someone's life," said history department chair Carlton Wilson.
"Through the cold, dampness, and trying to properly drive a nail, you keep that thought in mind.
"It was rewarding in every way.
"I think students will come out … They just need a little encouragement from their professors or advisers.
"Saturday several students in the department of history would have been there if not for the uncertainty of the weather."
Gershenhorn said, "I enjoyed the whole experience.
"It was nice to do some outside physical work, which is in contrast to what I usually do as a historian and teacher, which tends to be more cerebral and sedentary."
Members of Sigma Tau Delta worked hard as well.
"Some people are fortunate enough to own a home while others aren't and it's our job as members of the community to help each other out," said English junior Ashley Roque.
Since 1985, the Durham chapter of Habitat for Humanity has built more than 200 homes for residents in need.
The home being built off Hickory Street is the second Eagle Habitat build and has a special attachment to NCCU.
Farrington, a native of North Carolina, has worked in the James E. Shepard Library since 1995.
Her daughter is a freshman at Northern High School.
Families selected to receive homes are screened based on their housing need, ability to repay the zero-interest loan in full, and willingness to work with Habitat for Humanity and volunteer 250-350 hours building their home.
Those interested in joining the group may contact Swetha Kumar at the NCCU ACSLP office at 919-530-6143.
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