In August 2006, Habitat for Humanity of the Mid-Willamette Valley broke ground on the first-ever Youth United Build in the Salem-Keizer area.  

Habitat for Humanity’s Youth United program empowers young people, ages 15-25, to sponsor and build a house within the local community.  Youth United targets a group of young, enthusiastic volunteers to build homes, develop leadership skills, and experience the joy of helping others through their involvement with Habitat for Humanity.

The following benefits set the Youth United project apart from other youth leadership programs:

• Children of Habitat homeowners take an active role in Habitat’s work.
• People from different ages, backgrounds, faiths and organizations work together to accomplish a shared goal.
• Youth of all ages understand Habitat’s mission and participate in its work in the community.
• Young people already involved with Habitat become youth leaders.
• Through constructing a home, Youth United Build participants tangibly improve the local community.

The Youth United Planning Team works together on community outreach, fundraising, special event coordination, volunteer scheduling and, of course, on building the home. We estimate that 200 young people will volunteer a total of 3,000 hours of construction labor during Salem’s first Youth United Build.  

Volunteers on the work site must be at least 15 years old. Volunteers between 15 and 18 years of age must have a parent or legal guardian sign a Youth Volunteer Waiver.

To learn more about the Youth United Build in Salem, please contact Julie Brown at 503-364-6642.