YSP Partners with Habitat for Humanity

Photo credit Carol Pobanz

“I never thought I’d find myself tearing down the walls of a house!” said Rev. Miilhan Stephens excitedly.

Rev. Miilhan was among a small group of Unificationists ready to get their hands dirty at a construction site in Paterson, New Jersey, on May 1—all for a good cause.

“Absolutely loved it! So exhilarating!” he said.

The team of six came out to help Habitat for Humanity (HFH), a nonprofit founded in 1976 that builds affordable houses nationwide and abroad. To date, HFH has helped more than 22 million people around the world build or improve the place they call home.

“We pulled nails from the wall, removed insulation, and got rid of sheetrock on an entire wall,” said Elissa McMahon, another volunteer.

The team, who are members of Youth and Students for Peace (YSP) USA, New Jersey chapter, partnered with HFH for the service project, expanding their youth involvement and activities. They spent the day working side by side as part of a demolition crew preparing a house for reconstruction. 

“We thought we were going to construct, but instead, we de-constructed,” said Rev. Carol Pobanz, secretary of YSP New Jersey.

The group removed walls, old insulation, and all protruding nails in preparation for new plumbing, wiring, and heating—meeting all of the current reconstruction standards of Energy Star, a national energy efficiency program.

YSP members are regularly involved in service projects as part of its mission to “advance world peace by empowering youth and students to become global citizens through character education and peace projects supporting the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

“The vision of YSP is to create a culture of peace in every part of the world where it becomes a norm to seek the benefit of others even above myself,” said Dr. Robert Kittel, YSP international president.

In Paterson, where nearly 27 percent of residents live below the poverty line, according to the most recent U.S. Census, the HFH project addressed SDGs such as poverty; good health and well-being; affordable and clean energy; and industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

“This was my first time working with Habitat for Humanity,” said Rev. Miilhan. “Best of all, I had the chance to deepen my friendships with some people I have not seen for a long time and meet some wonderful new people while also helping the community.”

To learn more about Youth and Students for Peace or to get involved, click here.

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