Clackamas Community College Student Builds Houses During Spring Break

Local student Elsa Moore, 17, spent spring break building a Habitat for Humanity home in Jacksonville, Fla., as part of Salem Habitat's Youth United group. Moore was one of nine participants selected from across the U.S. for the March 15-21 service trip.

"It was so much fun and I can't wait to sign up for next year's build," she said. "It's a great opportunity to help those in need (and) make awesome new friends all over the country."

This was Moore's first building project. "We painted a bunch and did some siding on a house," she said. "My favorite part was definitely siding. I was extremely good with the hammer."

Moore had been a South Salem High School student for three years and now will attend the Chemeketa Community College Early College High School program.

Through Youth United, students partner with their local Habitat affiliate and are responsible for raising 70 percent of the house sponsorship costs, and those older than 16 help with construction. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 300,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, affordable shelter for more than 1.5 million people. For information, visit www.habitat.org.