Employee Forum Habitat for Humanity Build Day- June 8, 2018

Join the Employee Forum on Friday, June 8, 2018 from 8:00AM – 4:30 PM to help build a home for a deserving UNC Staff Member! Orange County Habitat for Humanity is building a home in Efland, NC that will be gifted to UNC Housekeeper Per Ser and his family.

Please visit the following event webpage for further details and to RSVP!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/unc-employee-forum-habitat-for-humanity-build-day-tickets-42906929782

We welcome interested UNC units/departments from across campus to gather their workgroup to participate. Individuals from throughout campus and the Chapel Hill community are welcome to participate as well. Please remember that all UNC Staff have Community Service Leave available to them for events such as this! (More details on this in the FAQ on the webpage)

We ask that you commit to donating $15 per volunteer to cover the costs of materials that Habitat for Humanity incurs. Donations above and beyond the $15 participation donation per volunteer are welcome! For those units/departments or individuals who are unable to donate, but still wish to send a delegation, please reach out to Heather Lewis for assistance.

Lunch and bottled waters will be provided for all of our volunteers, but please feel free to bring any other food/drink as needed. Please remember to bring sunscreen as well!

For more details on volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, please visit http://www.orangehabitat.org/volunteer

This event is rain or shine! Thank you for your interest in participating! Be ready to work hard, try something new, and pitch in with whatever needs done that day. Most importantly, be prepared to have fun and know that you are directly impacting the lives of a hardworking UNC Staff member and his family! 

Thanks everyone!

FAQs

Do I need construction experience to volunteer with Habitat?

No! All builds are led by experienced construction staff who will teach you everything you need to know.

What should I wear to the build?

Comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty, closed-toed athletic shoes/work boots are required (no sandals, Crocs or Sperrys)

Please be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or visor to protect you from the sun!

What should I bring into the event?

Snacks and bottled waters will be provided for all of our volunteers, but please feel free to bring any other preferred food/drink as needed. Habitat provides all tools and equipment. If you prefer to bring your own tools, please label them with your name. Please leave all valuables at home.

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

There will be on-road parking available for volunteers at the build site. However, we encourage all volunteers to carpool where ever possible since the build site is about 20 minutes from campus. Please contact Heather Lewis if you are interested in carpooling.

What should I expect upon arrival?

Please arrive ten-fifteeen minutes early in order to sign in, make a nametag and fill out a waiver. Habitat staff members will lead an orientation to review important information about safety and construction tasks for the day.

Can I use Community Service Leave (CSL) to participate?

You are encouraged to take advantage of CSL to participate in the Habitat Build! Please remember that prior supervisor approval is required in order to utilize CSL. Please visit https://hr.unc.edu/benefits/leave-holidays/service/ for more information on CSL policy and procedure.

Future Homeowner: 
Per Ser and Mue Ju Paw 
Children: Ser Tha Blay (4yrs) and Sarah Paw (2yrs)

Per Ser and Mue Ju Paw met when they were in school at a refugee camp in Thailand. They had a dream of marrying and raising a family in the United States, away from the dangers that they were facing in Burma.

After dating for two years, they decided to make the move to the United States in search for freedom and married on August 4, 2012. They now have two children, Ser Tha Blay, who is a spunky four year old boy, and Sarah Paw who is a creative two year old that loves her brother.

Per Ser works for UNC as a housekeeper and his wife is a full time caretaker of their two children. “I love being affiliated with the University,” said Per Ser. “It offers a permanent job to support my family and has benefits.”

They heard about Habitat through Per Ser’s mother who is also receiving a Habitat home this year. After realizing that their dream of owning their very own home could come true, they applied. The one bedroom apartment they are currently living in is crowded and noisy. Their utility bills are very high and rent continues to rise. There is a mold issue in the building as well, and they do not feel that their family is safe to stay there.

This new home will offer a stable, safe, affordable foundation where their children can grow, play and dream.