SAN ANTONIO – Every year, Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio helps low-income families who dream of owning their own home. To date, the organization has helped build 990 homes in the San Antonio area and relies heavily on volunteers and donations to help them achieve their goals.
On Wednesday, 43 students from MacArthur High School helped wire several houses for the organization, allowing the students to receive hands-on experience in their prospective field.
“We started this because we wanted the kids to have some community service hours, and what a fantastic way to do that than to get them out here in the real world and wire some houses,” said Steve Albert with MacArthur High School. “It's a win-win for everybody.”
MacArthur students have been participating in this program with Habitat for Humanity for the past eight years, but students say it’s about much more than just learning.
“You don't get any more satisfaction out of helping someone than giving them somewhere to live,” said aspiring electrician and student Larry Burt. “It's just a great feeling. It's just satisfying."
The newest Habitat for Humanity community called Coleman Ridge is located at Old Pearsall Road and Loop 410. The organization began building the community in 2011, with the last homes expected to be complete by this summer. Habitat for Humanity of San Antonio’s Vice President Stephanie Wiese said the area is home to about 185 of the organization’s houses.
“Our houses are very energy efficient, very affordable, so the families can really be able to get ahead in other areas of their life,” Wiese said. “This really provides them great stability.”
Wiese said the average mortgage payment is for a Habitat for Humanity Home is $550, which includes taxes, insurance and zero-percent financing.
This year marks Habitat for Humanity's 40th anniversary.