Act! Speak! Build! Week was initiated in 2002 by the Campus Chapters Advisory Board, a group of student leaders from across the country involved with Habitat. The event, then known as HabiFest, grew to involve 175 chapters in 2003, and more than 225 in 2004. In 2004, the event refocused itself on advocacy efforts and introduced the National Advocacy Campaign, a series of four nationwide advocacy events. The event continued to grow in scope in 2005, as more than 200 U.S. campus chapters and 11 international groups participated in the newly renamed and expanded week of activities. In 2006, groups of youth outside the Campus Chapters program were eligible to participate. More than 280 groups of youth registered from diverse organizations, such as scouting, religious youth groups, student governments and service organizations. Momentum has continued over the past two years. Act! Speak! Build! Week 2007 focused on creating campaigns that included education, public awareness and advocacy. This was the first year that students were continuously driven to create letter-writing opportunities for students on their campus. By the end of the event, student groups across the world had sent more than 4,000 letters to their government representatives asking for their support in legislation that supports adequate, fair housing and sustainable development. Act! Speak! Build! Week 2008 – “Recognize the need, advocate for change” – was a huge success. Thank you to the hundreds of groups around the world that participated. Preparations are already under way for the 2009 event – to be held March 30-April 5, with registration beginning in November 2008. Check back frequently for additional Act! Speak! Build! Week 2009 information.
2008: “Recognize the need, advocate for change” 2007: “What a difference a home makes” 2006: “Poverty knows no borders” 2005: “There’s no place like home ... unless you don’t have one” 2004: “Where will you sleep tonight?” 2003: “It takes more than a hammer”
