About Illinois State University/ Illinois Wesleyan University Habitat for Humanity
Starting in 1995, the ISU-IWU Habitat student chapters, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of McLean County have built at least one one home every year in McLean County. Habitat McLean coordinates home construction and selects and works with the families. The 17th Collegiate home will be built on East Douglas St. in Bloomington. Student volunteers work on every aspect of the project, including landscaping, framing, siding, roofing, drywall, insulation, and trim.
Campus chapters raise funds from the Bloomington-Normal community to pay for construction. Each Habitat Home in McLean County costs approximately $66,000 to build.
The ISU and IWU campus chapters do most of their work in partnership with the McLean County chapter of Habitat. Since 1985, Habitat McLean has built over 100 homes.
In 2006, the partnership of ISU, IWU, and McLean County Habitat for Humanity was the first finalist for the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Award for Campus-Community Collaboration. The $7,000 first finalist award is given to universities and community groups who demonstrate commitment to improving their communities.