This spring students from the GSU University Honors Program participated in National Rebuilding Day, a house rehabilitation program that is held throughout the country on the last Saturday of April every year.
National Rebuilding Day is a nationwide program that focuses on home restoration and implementation of safety measures for houses in low income communities. This year the Chicago chapter of Rebuilding Together focused on the Englewood community in Chicago, and the city of Harvey in south suburban Cook County. GSU has participated in the Rebuilding Together program for the past eight years.
The National Rebuilding Day project was a rewarding experience that provided students from the honors program an opportunity to serve in the local community and build a long-lasting camaraderie with one another.
Led by co-House Captains Stephanie Snow and Sharon Lewis, the group of volunteers included GSU students and alumni: Aurora Basha, Abby Brackins, Carrie Bregar, Donna Brooks, Beatriz Carrillo, Monica Clanton, Jerold Dennis, Kishauna Hampton, Karen Lewis, Marimonica Murray, Allysa Reils, Althea Ross, and Kevin Zickterman. Professor Larry Levinson, Director of the Honors Program, acted as advisor to the team and as a participant in this project.
The home improvement services provided on April 28th included painting, cleaning, and gardening. The homeowner, a widow in Harvey, was excited about the opportunity to have her home environment enhanced and was pleased with the results of the students’ hard work.
Co-House Captain Stephanie says that the National Rebuilding Day experience was one that was worthwhile not only because of the leadership principles that it developed in her, but because it was also an opportunity to participate in a team-building exercise that was personally, professionally, and educationally satisfying. Both Sharon and Stephanie look forward to an opportunity to work on this project again in the future.
Governor's State
Tuesday, June 24, 2025