Jensen Beach, Florida-August 15, 2008. Many Martin County youth decided on construction instead of the beach and the mall (at least for one week) to participate in Change Your World and learn about the working poor of Martin County. Because of the Change Your World program, teens in Martin County completed the roof, framed the house, installed windows and doors, and fully insulated the home. This is the future home of our Habitat partner family Martha LaFleur and this home is also known as the Apostle Build, which several churches in Martin County are helping fund.

From 8:30am until 12pm Monday through Friday, teens learned valuable construction skills and in the afternoon from 1pm to 3pm the lesson curriculum took place next door at the Jensen Beach Church of God. The program is the first for Martin County, but has been so successful that it will expand in 2009 to take place during Spring Break in addition to the summer weeks.

"The kids of Martin County and a group from Educate Tomorrow in Miami accepted a difficult challenge, says Ebonie Reid, Director of Volunteer Programs. "They worked in very hot conditions for five straight days and spent the afternoon learning about the everyday challenges Americans face supporting their families."

Our thanks to First Baptist Church of Jensen Beach for providing housing and Jensen Beach Church of God for providing the training location. We would also like to thank Jensen Beach Community Church, North Stuart Baptist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church and First Congregational UCC of Palm City for providing dinners for the Educate Tomorrow Group from Miami.

Martin County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that builds partnerships with volunteers, families, and the community to transform lives and revitalize neighborhoods by enabling families in need to own an affordable home. Habitat for Humanity has a unique organizational philosophy that maximizes the transformative effects of building and buying a home in Martin County.

Homeownership through Habitat is a 'hand up' not a 'hand out'. Completed homes are sold to pre-selected families who are required to complete 300 sweat equity/volunteer hours and pay an affordable, no-interest mortgage back to Martin County Habitat for Humanity, giving them a profound sense of ownership. All Habitat homes are built by community volunteers, which helps to keep costs low.