Press Release: Local Teens Spend Their Vacation Time Building Homes

LOCAL TEENS SPEND THEIR VACATION TIME BUILDING HOMES FOR THOSE IN NEED IN ROCKY POINT, MEXICO

Peoria, AZ – Over sixty high-school students and adult volunteers recently spent President’s Day weekend in Rocky Point, Mexico building homes for deserving families who had been living for years without basic housing needs.

It’s estimated that half the population in Mexico is living in poverty, with one fifth living in extreme poverty. Some families live on less than one dollar a day, a level comparable to the world's poorest countries. The cost of providing a dependable shelter with adequate space for a family is relatively cheap by American standards – the biggest hurdle is labor.

The goal of the trip was to build three homes within three days. The high-school students from Christ's Church of the Valley (CCV) worked closely with One Mission, an organization focused on building community in the most poverty-stricken neighborhoods in Rocky Point, built brand new homes for families in need and also made lasting relationships with the families receiving the new homes. Despite the cold nights and the demanding days, the group accomplished their goal, and the lives of three families have been changed for the better.

“This is my second time working with One Mission. While building the homes is significant, the most important part of the trip is the families we are serving. When I come back next time, I am excited to see these families again. They are like friends now,” says Blake Sabiston, associate youth pastor at CCV.

For most students, this was their first experience in serving others living in desperate circumstances. “I was shocked of the simplicity of those living in Rocky Point compared to how most Americans have a 5-star resort lifestyle.” said Bryce Jablonski, a junior at Deer Valley High School. CCV’s high school ministry is hoping to go down one more time in 2009 and plans to double the amount of students involved.

CCV is located at 7007 W Happy Valley Rd in Peoria, AZ. Contact us if you have any questions at 623.376.2444 or www.ccvonline.com. Regular weekend worship times are 4:30 and 6:15 pm every Saturday and 9:30 and 11:15 am every Sunday.