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| By G. Michael Dobbs Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD - Five YWCA YouthBuild members and their instructor will spend the next weeks putting their construction skills to good use: helping to re-build housing in Gulfport, Miss. Gulfport is one of the communities still suffering from the devastation of the Hurricane Katrina and the YouthBuild members will spend at least eight hours a day building and rehabilitating homes. Jose Cruz, Dennis Reyes, Carlos Rivera, Miguel Rivera, and Danielle Wiggins will be accompanied by instructor Jack Cascio. The team left on Saturday and will return March 10 Susan Rabbitt, the executive director of the YWCA YouthBuild, explained to Reminder Publications that this was the first time members of the Springfield program have participated in the re-building effort there. Nationally, YouthBuild has been asking local affiliates to send in volunteer teams for two-week rotations. Rabbitt said that at first only members of AmeriCorps, the national volunteer service program, were being asked to work in the area, but it was opened to other volunteers who met criteria concerning construction skills. The five YWCA YouthBuild members include several who are also members of AmeriCorps. AmeriCorps paid for their travel expenses, while the YWCA of Greater Springfield, paid for the other's airfare. During the two weeks, the YouthBuild volunteers will be living at a naval facility that has hosted the YouthBuild crews. "Assisting the nation's Katrina recovery effort is consistent with YouthBuild's mission and expertise, Rabbitt said. "Our YouthBuild AmeriCorps members are passionate about doing their part to help hurricane victims reclaim their homes." |