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Indiana teenagers help West Pasco Habitat

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By MEGAN HUSSEY

Tribune correspondent

Published: July 4, 2009

West Pasco Habitat for Humanity is welcoming a team of young Christian volunteers for its inaugural Apostle Build.

This group of 12 volunteers, ages 16 through 21, represents the Salem United Church of Christ in Huntingburg, Ind. They traveled to New Port Richey on June 27 to participate in a weeklong Apostle Build.

A mixture of Pasco County churches and businesses are sponsoring this Apostle Build, which West Pasco Habitat director Rebecca Russell-Gootee regards as the first of many in this area.

"This is a good summer trip for youth to be involved in; they'll be making a difference," she said. "And they will be a model for other churches to get involved."

Russell-Gootee's niece, Rachel Berg, is youth director for Salem United Church of Christ and leader of the church youth group.

"We decided we wanted to do a mission trip," Berg said. "We want to work to help God's people lead a better life, to give back what we are so blessed to have."

The group has a busy week in Pasco. It kicked off the week by laying sod at a Habitat home site at Cardy Street in New Port Richey.

Other activities include studying blueprints of a Habitat house planned at Atis Street in New Port Richey and completing tasks at this home site; working at Habitat ReStore and preparing promotional fliers at the Habitat office.

Apart from their Habitat duties, the students were scheduled to volunteer at Volunteer Way Food Bank and Homeless Prevention Services.

"We're here to serve," Berg said. "We'll do whatever we're asked to do, with a smile."

Sam Englert, a 18-year-old youth group member, agrees.

"It's amazing being able to help people and touch their lives," he said.

Clay McConnell, 16, said he has learned a great deal about Habitat for Humanity through this experience.

"Before I just knew they built houses," he said. "Now I've learned they build houses for people in need, and the people Habitat homeowners work for them."

Keshia Kamman, 21, said she learned about the Apostle Build experience from classmates at Franklin College in Indiana, who completed their own Apostle Build project in Kentucky.

"I wanted to help people, and this sounded amazing to me," she said, adding, "I'm learning a lot from the experience already. It's a lot of hard work, it takes patience and we work together."

Gabriel Jalles, 16, said he has previous volunteer experience helping elderly people in his neighborhood.

"I hope we can make an impact on the community with Habitat," he said, "to show that people care."

Mitch Katter, 17, has completed previous mission trips on behalf of Habitat.

"Working with Habitat homeowners changes your look on life," he said. "They help so much to build their own homes."

Berg said she thinks that this West Pasco Habitat for Humanity Apostle Build will help the tudents who participate.

"It is my hope that, after this experience, they'll be more open to sharing their faith," she said. "They'll reach out to those in need and have a greater desire to serve."

A number of businesses, churches and community organizations are sponsoring this effort. They are: Ashley's Barbeque, Pit Boss Barbecue, McDonald's at Southgate Plaza, New Port Richey Recreation Center, Riverside Inn, Maria Brandes and her women's prayer group, Brent Jenkins, Rebecca Russell-Gootee, Gateway City Church Awaken Youth Center, Community United Methodist, Rose and Blayne Bridal, Tarpon Springs Aquarium, Kay Wofford, Publix Southgate, The Miss Daisy Cruise Boat, St. Petersburg Free Clinic Beacon House, Volunteer Way, Congo River Golf and Habitat volunteers and staff.

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