Habitat for Humanity Youth Programs

What is Youth Programs?
The Youth Programs department of Habitat for Humanity was founded with the mission to capture the imagination, energy and hope of young people worldwide, ages five to 25, in order to productively and responsibly involve them as leaders in the work of Habitat.

Read about the latest innovations and milestones from the Youth Programs department in the 2007 Youth Programs Summary Report (pdf).

What is Habitat for Humanity?
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit Christian ecumenical housing ministry. We welcome all people to join us as we build simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat for Humanity has built more than 250,000 houses and has a presence in 90 countries. To find out more about Habitat for Humanity, please take the online tour.

How has Youth Programs developed?
In November 1987, Baylor University in Waco, Texas, became the first university to form its own student-led, student-initiated Habitat for Humanity organization. The Habitat for Humanity International Board of Directors approved the Youth Programs department in December 1987. High school students became a part of the Youth Programs family in 1988 when Marist School in Atlanta, Georgia, formed the first secondary school campus chapter. The first international chapter was chartered in 1991 at the University of Technology in Lae, Papua New Guinea. Since 1987, more than 800 chapters have been chartered worldwide. While the vast majority of these student clubs are based in the United States, campus chapters exist in 35 countries.

As the department's programs expanded internationally, the Youth Programs department recognized that other youth programs models were needed for those areas where schools were not close by or where the youth had graduated. Begun in the Philippines in 2001, community youth groups (CYGs) allow an entire community to be involved.

What do we do?
The Youth Programs department exists to support Habitat for Humanity national organizations and affiliates in promoting youth involvement. We are also responsible for providing ongoing support to youth volunteers and those that support them through resources, training and special programs. We help young people involved in Habitat for Humanity set up special events, participate in travel service teams and engage in decision-making at the local level. The Youth Programs department is also the liaison between individual campus chapters and community youth groups and other Habitat for Humanity International departments. Youth Programs staff members are stationed in the field and in the international headquarters in Americus, Ga.

What do we believe?
At Youth Programs, we believe that young people are the builders and leaders of today and tomorrow. In that spirit, we seek to offer young people opportunities to partner with Habitat for Humanity in a sustained and productive way. We seek to create nurturing environments where youth can develop skills in community leadership and teamwork while providing continued valuable resources toward the elimination of poverty housing.

How can young people join in Habitat for Humanity's work? It's easy!
Volunteer locally – To start working at the local level in the U.S., contact your local affiliate and ask what opportunities they have for youth volunteers.

Outside the U.S., contact your local affiliate or a Youth Programs area coordinator. Search for campus chapters and community youth groups in your area.

Check out the NEW Youth Programs page to learn more about the programs the Youth Programs department offers and how you can get involved.

Contact the Youth Programs department at youthprograms@habitat.org or (800) HABITAT, ext. 2412 for more information.