2008 Woodie Awards
One Habitat Site Disappoints a Few
Fahima Israt
Issue date: 11/24/04 Section: Features
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Saturday, November 20th was a cold and gray day. The sun shyly hid behind depressing, rainy clouds. The soft drizzle seemed to have scared away all life on earth. Or so it seemed. Nine Jaspers, with a mix of six students and three faculties, did not part take in the gloominess. Instead, by 9:45 A.M., they were in a van, driving eagerly to Mount Vernon to participate in another Habitat for Humanity trip.
Ross Pollack, the Director of Specialized Resource Center and Director of Learning Disabilities program at Manhattan College, was in charge of transportation. Dr. Graham Walker, professor of Mechanical Engineering, was in charge of the directions. The other faculty member was Sue Pape from Athletics. Upon arriving, the group was directed to James Braxtan, the director of the site. After giving a quick welcome note to the group, Braxtan gave the complete control of choice of activity to everyone.
The excited Jaspers were, at first, confused because there was already another group from SUNY Purchase. The other group seemed already intensely working, and it seemed that no work was left. Then Braxtan directed five girls to the doorway of a basement of one of the houses. The girls were told to paint the walls while standing on a rickety plank of wood, balanced on uneven stairs.
Dr. Walker was directed to the basement to perform more of an engineering aspect of the building the basement. The rest of the group was given the responsibility to dig a long trench in order for railroad tracks to be laid.
The day seemed to be going along fine, like the work that was being done for a while. Then a few problems started to rise. One in particular was Braxtan's handling and explaining of directions to the staff. When Braxtan started to point out mistakes that could have been corrected with proper guidelines from him, the group's spirit started to deflate like a balloon losing air.
"It was fun to get out there and know that you are helping people," said Erin Moriarty.
Ross Pollack, the Director of Specialized Resource Center and Director of Learning Disabilities program at Manhattan College, was in charge of transportation. Dr. Graham Walker, professor of Mechanical Engineering, was in charge of the directions. The other faculty member was Sue Pape from Athletics. Upon arriving, the group was directed to James Braxtan, the director of the site. After giving a quick welcome note to the group, Braxtan gave the complete control of choice of activity to everyone.
The excited Jaspers were, at first, confused because there was already another group from SUNY Purchase. The other group seemed already intensely working, and it seemed that no work was left. Then Braxtan directed five girls to the doorway of a basement of one of the houses. The girls were told to paint the walls while standing on a rickety plank of wood, balanced on uneven stairs.
Dr. Walker was directed to the basement to perform more of an engineering aspect of the building the basement. The rest of the group was given the responsibility to dig a long trench in order for railroad tracks to be laid.
The day seemed to be going along fine, like the work that was being done for a while. Then a few problems started to rise. One in particular was Braxtan's handling and explaining of directions to the staff. When Braxtan started to point out mistakes that could have been corrected with proper guidelines from him, the group's spirit started to deflate like a balloon losing air.
"It was fun to get out there and know that you are helping people," said Erin Moriarty.