“It was satisfying hearing the gratification of the homeowner, a local rabbi, for all the restoration that we had enacted in the house.” Russell Whitehouse, ASB Day 4
During the fourth and final day of Pace’s Alternative Spring Break, I and my team mates focused on dry-walling, mudding and painting, having already completed the sub-flooring. The replacement dry-walling covered a height of 14 inches, the level that the…
“You become part of something larger than yourself and something like putting down a floor or putting up a wall becomes more than construction; it becomes something to truly be proud of.” Charles Rehberger, ASB Day 4
It was a surreal experience, entering the house my group worked on for the first time. The outside looked just fine, but as for the interior, the floor was full of holes and the walls had over a foot removed…
“That was us – (fifteen) students of different campuses, majors, backgrounds, interests, and even cutting techniques coming together, staying together, and (most importantly) working together.” Ashley Lora, ASB Day 4
15 Pace students from two different campuses and various backgrounds coming together for a purpose: building homes for families affected by Hurricane Sandy. If you can think about the ending to the movie “The Breakfast Club”, you might get a…
“Today was an experience unlike many others I have had throughout this trip.” Dominique Chanza, ASB Day 3
Today was an experience unlike many others I have had throughout this trip. Early morning, I arrived at the home that I would be working in which was still at the initial rebuilding process. As soon as I walked in…
“I can easily say this has been the toughest day yet, emotionally and physically.” Val Iturralde, ASB Day 3
Three chicks and one wall I can easily say this has been the toughest day yet, emotionally and physically. Walking into a bare desolate house wasn’t quite the image I had illustrated in my head this morning. I had…
“I hope to come back and stay with my father so I can volunteer again.” Samantha Clarke, ASB Day 3
Day 3 Formally known as the “playground of the rich,” The Rockaways holds a strong identity. An Identity that only people who live, have family in, or have experienced time in The Rockaways would understand. Being that I have…
“With our help, the Friends of Rockaway can then help more families rebuild their homes.” Brittany-Ann Polini, ASB Day 2
Today was the first day of volunteering with the Friends of Rockaway organization. The group I was with went to work on the house donated to Friends of Rockaway by the local temple. Throughout the day it was so amazing…
“Even though the task may have been difficult, the satisfaction of knowing that we accomplished something big or small today was a huge reward.” Brianna Williams, ASB Day 2
Before the start of this Alternative Spring Break, I hadn’t physically seen the homes that were completely destroyed or washed away from the storm. The home that I worked in today, the water rose to 13 feet in the single…
“I began to think about the improvements that could potentially be installed into the disaster recovery system.” Yuliya Palianok, ASB Day 2
Although physically participating in the rebuilding process was satisfying, throughout the day I could not help but wonder why we are doing what we are doing, for whom and how effective our work is. I really enjoyed our time with…
“Helping others in their time of need really shows how a community can come together” Jandery De La Cruz, ASB Day 2
Today was the first day that we did hands on work with Friends of Rockaway. I enjoyed every minute of it. We partnered up with another person and my partner and I worked on grouting the kitchen floor. Although this…
