Group of volunteers in front of Habitat house

News & Blog

Sep 26 2023

High School Student Organizes ‘Student Build’ Event with Habitat for Humanity

Volunteers

Student Build Logo 2023

Homestead High School senior, Edie Laurie, organized a ‘Student Build’ event with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Fort Wayne to help a local family achieve their dream of homeownership.

Homestead students, including members of Homestead’s Key Club, volunteered October 13-15 to prime, paint, and install flooring throughout an entire Habitat home for Habitat Partner Family, Ciaira. Edie first met Ciaira and her family during her Habitat Women Build volunteer day with the Jack Laurie Group team.

  • After completing a Homes for Hope build in Ensenada Mexico earlier this year, I became very passionate about strengthening communities and improving lives through shelter. When I returned home, I wanted to do something like the Homes of Hope in my own community. Habitat for Humanity was a perfect fit. I participated in a Habitat Women Build project this past summer and have now started a Habitat Student Build project through my High School. I am excited to be working with Habitat, to be feeding my passion, and to get my high school friends involved!

    Edie Laurie

    Edie Laurie

    Homestead High School Senior

Student Build-Group

$10,000 Goal

In addition to volunteering her time, Edie has set a goal to engage local businesses and individuals to raise $10,000. Proceeds will help Habitat build 20 homes for qualified families in the Greater Fort Wayne community.

To donate and invest in affordable homeownership visit S4Habitat.givesmart.com.

Donations will remain open through the end of the 2023-24 school year.

“To see a high school senior take on a volunteer event like this is inspiring,” shared Habitat GFW Director of Development, Hailie Boes. “The Habitat team has been amazed at the excitement and eagerness students have had to get involved and make a difference for a deserving family in our community.”

John Laurie, Edie’s dad and CEO of the Jack Laurie Group added, “Our company has been part of the Southeast-side of Fort Wayne since 1950. We are invested and have deep roots in this community. To see my daughter get involved like this, is a very “proud dad moment” for me. And, Habitat has been a great organization for us to partner with in strengthening and revitalizing this neighborhood”.  

Underwriting for the Habitat ‘Student Build’ event provided by Jack Laurie Group.

About Jack Laurie Group

The Jack Laurie Group is a specialty contractor with locations throughout Indiana – Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, Valparaiso, Lafayette, and Muncie/Anderson. The business specializes in commercial and residential flooring, commercial interiors (including walls, ceilings, and painting), and commercial cleaning. The business was started in 1950 by Jack Laurie. The business has always had its headquarters in the Southeast-side of Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne location currently resides in the old Falstaff Brewery Building at 2020 East Washington Boulevard. Visit JackLaurieGroup.com for more information.

Student Build Video Cover

‘Kids Who Care’

Fox 55 joined us on the job site to capture some footage of the students in action. Click the link below to hear Edie talk more about the Student Build weekend with WFFT.

See the Video on WFFT

Photo Gallery

  • Students who installed flooring group photo
  • Edie installing flooring
  • Group of students at student build
  • Female student with paint roller
  • Student installing flooring
  • volunteers painting
  • Two students painting above showever
  • Female student painting with brush
  • Male student painting with brush
  • Edie, John, and daughter
  • Student with paintbrush
  • Male student installing floor

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