Good News - June 2019

OUT AND ABOUT 36 JUNE 2019 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition High School Club Sponsors Two Habitat for Humanity Homes Shelly Pond Good News A student-run Habitat for Humanity Club at Cypress Bay High School founded by gradu- ating senior Matthew Liebman recently donated almost $20,000 to sponsor the construction of two homes inARick Case Habi- tat Community, a 77-home build located in Pompano Beach. Liebman received an honorable mention in the 2019Silver Knight Awards for the social science project and said he found his in- teraction with future home own- ers and fellow students to be even more rewarding. Seeking to put God’s love intoaction,Habitat forHumanityof Browardbringspeople together to build homes, communities and hope, offering a “hand up” not a “hand out” to low to very low-in- come families who are unable to qualify for conventional financing but are willing to work hard to im- prove their family’s lives. After his early experience in clubs in high school, Liebman wanted to get involved in some- thing that would make more of a real impact in people’s lives, so he decided to start a Habitat for Humanity chapter. Having relocated to South Florida fromDetroit, Matthew re- membered the automotive crisis of 2008 that contributed to the poverty and a housing crisis there. “Seeing this need, know- ing that giving people a home could help them in the long term, and seeing that now I had the power and authority to create an organization and lead it with cre- ativity and innovation was really where everything started,” Lieb- man said. He was introduced to Habi- tat for Humanity by a relative and then visited a build site to deter- mine if it was something he wanted to get involved with. At the site, Liebman struck up a conversation with a man and his daughter who were also volun- teering. “We were painting to- gether and having a good time, and he askedme to come to this ceremony and take pictures. I didn’t know what the ceremony was, but it happened to be a home dedication ceremony where he was getting his home and, of course, he was very emotional. To think I was painting alongside someone who was getting this home. That mademe feel incredible to think that all of our hardwork and effort and time could be used to change some- one else’s life.” Liebman started the Habitat chapter at Cypress Bay High School three years ago, and said students go out to volunteer at a build site or a re-store almost every other week. This year they had more than 400 people sign up for the club, and over the years they’ve done multiple fundraisers. They started with bake sales and garage sales, then partnered with local busi- nesses to do fundraisers where the club would get a portion of the profits for the night. This year they started their own clothing company, selling shirts and hats to classmates. They held aHabi- tat Day at school in which they set up a booth and sold cookies. They sold coupon cards, hosted athletic tournaments and also partnered with a new diner in Coral Springs that donated the proceeds from their opening day. With $22,000 in their bank account at the end of the year, Liebman said they were able to sponsor two homes in A Rick Case Habitat Community. Victoria Griffin, a future homeowner in the community, said, “This home means every- thing to me. This will provide a safe and stable home for myself and my boys, who are equally excited. And being the youngest of five and the first homeowner, I feel accomplished and proud of myself.” Prospective Habitat home- owner families make a down payment and contribute 300 hours of “sweat equity” on the construction of their home or someone else’s home. Initially getting involved in clubs to have something to put on a college resume, Liebamn said, “Along theway I really fell in lovewith this and had a true pas- sion that was pretty incredible.” Liebman plans to attend Florida State University in the fall, majoring in political sci- ence with aspirations of be- coming a lawyer, and is also interested in marketing and advertising. Pictured from left to right: Brian Pires, 10th Grade Ambassador; Nico- las Prothero, 10th Grade Ambassador; Nicole Svensson, 11th Grade Head of Media Operations; Catalina Garcia, 11th Grade President Ap- prentice; Matthew Liebman, 12th Grade President/Founder; Daniel Schmul, 12th Grade Vice President.