The primary value for IWU is Christlikeness. The challenge to follow Christ compels IWU to pursue a personal and professional lifestyle of commitment, leadership, service, stewardship, innovation and diversity. "We believe this kind of activity really reflects who we are called to be in our community," affirms David Rose, Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing, Non-Residential Services, and head of IWU's Habitat build. "For us to meet the educational needs of our community, and then to have this opportunity to contribute something so real and tangible as providing the security and comfort of a home for one who has served their country . . . that is a true privilege."
This Habitat home is being built for David Shrieves who served in the United States Air Force. Shrieves is currently working as the Guest Services Coordinator at Wheeler Mission Ministries, which is where he also resides. Having a home of his own will be a new experience for Shrieves. "Becoming a homeowner means that I will have a degree of independence that I have never had before . . . I am looking forward to beginning a new season of my life in a new home, building memories that can be cherished for many a day to come."
IWU is a Journeyman Partner of the Greater Indy Habitat for Humanity. Panel builds consist of a group of volunteers creating the frame of a house. It is temporarily constructed - generally in a parking lot - so that it can be taken apart, stacked in panels and loaded on a truck. It is then transported and permanently assembled on the construction site. Depending on the size of the house being constructed, 50-75 volunteers are needed and the house is built in approximately six hours. Volunteers of all construction skill levels over the age of 16 can easily participate. "On our previous build, everyone who participated thoroughly enjoyed this team-building activity," Rose states. "It brings them together in a different way than they experience each other on a daily basis, all the while knowing that every nail they pound, every frame they raise is making a meaningful, life-changing difference for individuals and families in our community. We can't imagine a better way to spend our day or live out our personal and professional core values."