Local Youth Are Making Safe, Affordable Housing A Priority During Habitat For Humanity's Act! Speak! Build! Week

    LOS ANGELES, CA, March 30, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Youth ages 5-25 from 33 local schools and youth groups will partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (http://www.habitatla.org) to make housing a matter of action during this year's Act! Speak! Build! Week. Throughout the week of March 30th to April 5th local students will be initiating and leading programs to educate each other and their communities on the issue of affordable housing, as well as, fundraising for what will be the second local "House that Youth Build." This is the third year that local youth have participated in the organization's nationwide campaign.

"Today's young people are very aware of our current housing crisis and are eager to get involved," says Erin Rank, president/CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles. "Act! Speak! Build! Week empowers youth to make a tangible difference, while developing skills in teambuilding, leadership and community development."

This year's Act! Speak! Build! Week will include students spreading the word about the need for affordable housing by using statistics and educational tools, participating in fundraising efforts and hosting events. Events may include everything from showing a film highlighting housing issues to holding a cardboard sleepover to simulate homelessness in the community. The student-initiated and student-led activities will also promote Habitat for Humanity's other local youth programs including the award-winning Nickels for Nails program.

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles offers a variety of ways for young people to take action and get involved year round. For information about volunteering for Habitat for Humanity's youth service programs in Greater Los Angeles - including ACT! SPEAK! BUILD! Week; Campus Charters; Nickels for Nails and Youth United - visit http://habitatla.org/youth_programs.asp or contact the Youth Programs department at 310-323-4663 or [email protected].

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF GREATER LOS ANGELES strives to eliminate poverty housing through advocacy, education and partnership with families in need to build simple, decent affordable housing. Since 1990, HFH GLA has built and renovated nearly 500 homes locally and worldwide, transforming the lives of hundreds of individuals. For more information, visit http://www.habitatla.org.

For more Information contact Jo-An Turman, Habitat For Humanity of G.L.A.'s Sr. Director Marketing & Communications,
T: 310-323-4663 ext. 121

Angela Moore, President Starfish P.R.,
T: 310-429-8868
[email protected]

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