Hammers, nails, shingles, and lots and lots of paint transformed Kirby Hall’s front porch into a playhouse production site. Our fifth through ninth grade students joined forces with Austin Habitat for Humanity to create four life-size playhouses for local charities.
“Engaging the youth of our community is a way to cultivate civic-minded action for generations to come,“ said Carly Yansak, Austin Habitat for Humanity Director of Communications. “We’re proud to be partnering with Kirby Hall School on our first school-led youth build! We now have four playhouses to donate.”
“The playhouses are going to families who foster children through Helping Hands and to Camp Fire Central Texas, which will be using them in their Learn-to-Play program,” said Erin Samson, Austin Habitat for Humanity Vice President of Development. “That’s the beauty of this. We can partner with other non-profits so that Kirby Hall students are impacting more central Texas families.”
It began with our students sending letters across the United States and the world. “With these letters, you taught over 270 people about Habitat and how they can make a difference in their communities,” said Sherri Goodman, Austin Habitat for Humanity Director of Grants and Contracts. “That’s a big impact, but you did more. Along with your project sponsor Stan’s Heating and Cooling, who got you started with a generous donation, your efforts raised over $5,000 to help build a real home for a Habitat family in need.”
This opportunity aligns with Kirby Hall’s mission statement and founder Mrs. Beverly Rase’s vision that Kirby Hall will “prepare bright and kind young people for a life of academic success, personal fulfillment, and dedicated service to their local, national, and global community.”
