History

Holy Cross Habitat for Humanity began in 1993 with the Collegiate Challenge Spring Break program.  Sending under 30 students to a few sites across the United States, Collegiate Challenge became an Alternative Spring Break program at The Cross that was completely student-run. 

Some highlights through the years: 

'96-'97: Holy Cross sent out 45 students to two different sites in the United States including Miami, Florida, and Lynchburg, Virginia. 

'97-'98: Holy Cross sent out 60 students to Miami, Florida, and Tennessee. 

'98-'99: Holy Cross had a big year.  Sending out 101 students to Miami and Tallahassee, Florida, as well as Mississippi and North Carolina was impressive, but Holy Cross also officially formed a chapter of Habitat for Humanity through the works of Chris Ruettgers ’99 and Jeff Colon ’99. Holy Cross holds its first ever Send-Off Dinner in which Dean Jacqueline Peterson was the key note speaker. 

Brendan McDermott ’99 organized the first Africa Global Village trip for Holy Cross which sent 12 students to Zimbabwe, Africa, for three weeks in June.  Holy Cross Habitat for Humanity International (also called Habitat Africa) would become an on-going program throughout the years. 

'99-'00: Holy Cross had another big year.  Sending 176 students to Miami and Tallahassee, Florida; New Orleans, Louisiana; Battle Creek, Michigan; Washington, DC; and Lynchburg, Virginia, Holy Cross was nationally recognized as the college which sent the most students away on Collegiate Challenge.  Holy Cross also begins to build right here in Worcester with Greater Worcester Habitat for Humanity on Massasoit Road and Grove Street.  

'00-'01: Holy Cross Habitat continues to expand.  This year, the executive board, consisting of Katie Boland ’01, Jessica Baker ’03, Emily Hogan ’02 and Ryan Leonard ’02 sent out 10% of their student body.  226 students travel to five different states. 

In Florida, students went to Ft. Lauderdale, Lake County, Miami, Tampa and West Palm Beach.  Alabama was visited by HC students in Calhoun County and Birmingham.  Starkville, Mississippi; Flint River, Georgia; and Tarboro, North Carolina, also received HC students over spring break.  The Send-Off Dinner was held in Hogan Ballroom this year and President McFarland gave the opening address.