Habitat for Humanity and Ohio University Launch On-Campus 'Bobcat Build' for a Ross County Family
Ohio University, in Athens County, Ohio, and Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio officially launched on-site construction of the "Bobcat Build" on October 23 at Parks Hall on the university's West Green: a 1,092-square-foot, three-bedroom home being built directly on campus, to be transported to its permanent site in Ross County for a local family.
The home is a modular build, constructed in two sections on campus. The launch featured a kickoff ceremony at noon, an open volunteer shift from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., and a ceremonial wall raising. Throughout the fall and spring semesters, students, faculty, staff and community members will work side by side to complete the build. In the spring, the home will be transported to Ross County, finished on its permanent site, and the keys will be turned over to the family on dedication day.
"The Bobcat Build showcases what is possible when higher education and community organizations come together around a shared mission," said Ken Oehlers, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeast Ohio. "Constructing this home in the heart of campus gives the university community a hands-on opportunity to address regional housing challenges while directly transforming the life of a local family." Ohio University President Lori Stewart Gonzalez called the project "the best of who we are as Bobcats," saying students, faculty, staff, alumni and neighbors are helping create new opportunities for a local family while addressing an important regional need.
"Housing is an issue that impacts all of us," said Courtney Lefebvre, interim executive director of the university's Center for Community Impact. Details on upcoming volunteer shifts and ways to support the project are available through the university's Bobcat Build page.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Habitat for Humanity志愿者参与建房（资料图）。National Leasing 摄，CC BY 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Volunteers at a Habitat for Humanity home build (file photo). Photo by National Leasing, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
