Faith Groups

Age:

• 7-11

Philanthropy is:

• Sharing time, talent and treasure, and taking for the common good.

Purpose:

• Participants will cooperate to "build" a home, and learn about the contributions of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter and Habitat for Humanity.

Objectives:

The young person will:

• understand the importance of housing for all people.
• see the importance of cooperation in building a home.
• become familiar with Jimmy Carter, former President of the United States and an extraordinary volunteer.

Religious Activity Theme:

Psalm 102:2 (The Message)
Don't turn your back on me just when I need you so desperately. Pay attention! This is a cry for help! And hurry--this can't wait!

Matthew 7:24 (The Message)

"These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on. If you work these words into your life, you are like a smart carpenter who built his house on solid rock.

 

The facilitator explains that this lesson is about the power of volunteering. Former President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Rosalynn Carter and the international organization, Habitat for Humanity, will be used as examples of caring and the importance of volunteering.

After leaving the office of the Presidency, Jimmy Carter championed human rights and became a public spokesperson for many charitable causes. In 1982 he founded the Carter Center of Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. The Carter Center serves as a forum for discussing issues related to democracy and human rights. Since the mid-1980s the Carters have helped build low-income housing through the nonprofit organization, Habitat for Humanity.

 

Activity Steps:

• Explain to the youth that they will be “building” a home. The group will work together to plan a home. Emphasize that the house is not a “dream home” or a mansion. The group will be planning a family home using their imagination, and pictures from the newspaper and magazines. Allow the group about 5 minutes to collect pictures of parts of a house.
• Begin the planning by asking the group what they think is the most important part of a home. It does not matter what room is suggested. On the large piece of paper, draw a square and label it with the room the group first suggested. Ask the participants if anyone has a picture or would like to draw something to go in the home’s first room.
• Continue this process until the group has “built” the home. Allow the youth to be creative, but help them to stay focused.
• Tell the youth that they have created a home in which many people would like to live. Emphasize that their home may not be fancy, but it has everything a family needs. A family who lived in the home would be sheltered, would be able to cook meals, and would have a place to sleep.
• Ask the participants if they know who Jimmy Carter is. Explain that Jimmy Carter was President of the United States and lived in the White House. Explain that after he left the White House he continued his life-long habit of volunteerism. One volunteer activity in which he participates is building homes for those in need through a nonprofit organization called Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity invites people to join together in building simple, affordable housing in partnership with those in need of adequate shelter. Since 1976, Habitat has built more than 90,000 houses in more than 60 countries, including some 30,000 houses across the United States.

Processing Questions:

1. How did it feel to work together to “build” our home?
2. Before you did this activity did you know how many pieces there were to a home?
3. What do you think motivates Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter to support and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity?
4. Why do you think people volunteer for an organization like Habitat for Humanity? Why is it important to help build houses for people in our community?
5. How is following our faith’s beliefs like building a house on a firm foundation? What does our faith tradition say about helping others?
6. Does our faith community do anything to address the problem of homelessness in our community, nation, or the world?
7. How can we, as members of the faith community help with those efforts, or heighten awareness of homelessness? Have someone compile the suggestions and focus on one of these to make an action plan. Have students re-write Psalms 102:2 in their own words.
8. Play and discuss: “We Can’t Wait Any Longer” by Michael W. Smith, Healing Rain CD.
   

Variation:

Use building blocks or Lego’s, have the participants “build” a home working in teams to emphasize the value to teamwork and cooperation in volunteering.

Supplemental Activity:

Look up Habitat for Humanity on the Internet, http://www.habitat.org. Read about all the things they do. Share this information with your family, organization, school or faith-based group.

Activity Source:

Adapted from Community Partnerships with Youth Inc.

The Word for Me Is Philanthropy

Additional Resources:

Jimmy Carter

Learning to Give Lesson (9-12) “Jimmy Carter - Responsible Citizen”

Unit “Using the Carter Center as an Example of Philanthropy Today - Local and Global Volunteerism”

President and Mrs. Carter

Learning to Give Lesson (9-12) “Life-long Leadership - Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter”

Unit “Concepts of Leadership”

Carter and Habitat for Humanity

Learning to Give Lesson (9-12) “Think Locally, Act Globally, or Think Globally, Act Locally?”

Unit “Using the Carter Center as an Example of Philanthropy Today Local and Global Volunteerism”

The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

Philanthropy Theme Framework :

Strand Standard Benchmark PHIL I. Definitions of Philanthropy DP 02. Roles of Government, Business, and Philanthropy E 6. Explain why acting philanthropically is good for the community, state, or nation. PHIL I. Definitions of Philanthropy DP 03. Names and Types of Organizations within the Nonprofit Sector E 2. Name an example of a nonprofit charitable organization. PHIL I. Definitions of Philanthropy DP 04. Operational Characteristics of Nonprofit Organizations E 1. Describe how citizens organize in response to a need. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS01. Self, citizenship, and society E 3. Describe a benefit of group cooperation. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS04. Philanthropy and Geography E 1. Name examples of nonprofit organizations in the community. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS04. Philanthropy and Geography E 2. Identify and describe how local nonprofits help the community. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS05. Philanthropy and Government E 3. Discuss the importance of personal virtue, good character, and ethical behavior in a democracy. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS05. Philanthropy and Government E 9. Describe how philanthropic activities can bring about social change. PHIL II. Philanthropy and Civil Society PCS05. Philanthropy and Government E 10. Give an example of an action by an individual or a private organization that has helped to enhance a core democratic value. PHIL III. Philanthropy and the Individual PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy E 1. Describe one reason why a person might give or volunteer. PHIL III. Philanthropy and the Individual PI 01. Reasons for Individual Philanthropy E 4. Give an example of how citizens acted for the common good.