Illinois State University and Illinois Wesleyan University (ISU/IWU) Joint Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter is one of 20 groups selected to receive a grant from State Farm®. The ISU/IWU Campus Chapter has been awarded $10,000 and must raise a matching amount.
“We are grateful to have been selected as one of the matching grant recipients,” said chapter Co-President at Illinois State Jade Surface. “The grant will help us to construct a house with a family in our community.” Illinois Wesleyan student chapter leader Ryan Ozelie explained, “Both collegiate groups are extremely eager to make progress on this symbolic 25th build, representing a longstanding commitment to the betterment of our community.”
A Habitat campus chapter is a student-led, student-initiated organization on a high school or college campus that partners with the local Habitats to build, fundraise, advocate, and educate to support the work of Habitat for Humanity. The ISU/IWU Campus Chapter has partnered with McLean County’s Habitat for Humanity since 1995 and will use the funds to build a new home alongside the Yetimbi family, including work on every aspect of the project, such as framing, siding, drywall, insulation, painting, and landscaping.
“We are proud that our funding is helping to engage young leaders in advancing Habitat’s mission in communities across the country,” said Ed Woods, human resources director of Philanthropy/Diversity & Inclusion at State Farm. “State Farm is here to help life go right® and is committed to building safer, stronger, and better educated communities.”
Scheduled fundraising activities include the chapter’s annual Trick or Treat for Change where students from both universities go to local residences on Halloween and ask for spare change. The goal for this year’s Trick or Treat for Change is to raise $20,000. ISU also organizes their annual “Big Tip Tuesday” with local coffeeshops and the Habitat Home Run 5K. Illinois Wesleyan is hosting a table on the quad during the morning of their Homecoming on October 6.
Habitat has several programs to engage youth ages 5 to 25. In addition to the ongoing support State Farm offices provide to local Habitat organizations across the United States, State Farm has provided support for Habitat for Humanity’s youth programs since 2007.
About ISU/IWU Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter
Since 1995, the Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan student Habitat chapter, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County have built at least one home every year in McLean County. They are celebrating their 25th Home Build this year. Student volunteers work on every aspect of the project and the Campus Chapter raises funds to pay for construction of the Collegiate House each year. Our local Campus Chapter has been recognized nationally for their commitment to affordable housing solutions and improving their communities, including the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration and the Habitat Campus Chapter of the Year Award.
