Sea City Work Camp to help with hurricane recovery

A group of Corpus Christi teens are putting away their mobile phones and picking up hammers to help repair homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Partnering with Ashley HomeStore and the Corpus Christi Hooks, Sea City Work Camp volunteers gather their tools and get to work this month, when they will dedicate a week to hurricane recovery in areas where the most devastation occurred.
A faith-based organization, Sea City Work Camp has been helping families of limited means repair their homes since 1993. The program teaches high school students the joy of giving back to the community.
“Many young people these days are not getting the experience of serving others,” said Misty Jurecek, Sea City Work Camp publicity chairperson. “The kids who participate at Sea City Work Camp feel like they’re making a difference in someone’s life and in the community. They’re getting rewarded by what they’re offering.”
For the past 24 years, Sea City volunteers have worked on projects in June. Helping with hurricane recovery was suggested by an executive panel, which is mostly made up of young people. That same group picks the projects each year from applications that are gathered by Ashley HomeStore, through the website or by phone.
Anyone is welcome to apply. Those who meet the low-income criteria and have the greatest need are chosen for the 10 projects taken on each year.
“These could be home repairs for senior citizens, disabled residents, veterans or even single-parent households who don’t have the physical or financial means to fix their house,” Jurecek said. “Ashley HomeStore is hosting a campaign, and a portion of proceeds from goods sold will be given to a local nonprofit organization to help hurricane victims with roof repairs, cleaning of debris or whatever help is needed.”
In Victoria, Sea City Work Camp partnered with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild homes. 

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

Typically, 100 high school teens in grades 9-12, along with 30-50 adult volunteers, participate in the weeklong camp. Adult volunteers, especially those with experience in construction skills, are always encouraged to apply.
For the youth who want to participate in the camp, fees on average are $175, which go toward camp expenses such as three meals a day with snacks, transportation and entertainment such as movies and bowling.
During the day, participants work at the home sites and spend the night at a local host church such as Grace United Methodist Church in Calallen, which has provided indoor lodging for the participants for years. 
Teams of 10-13 youths, accompanied by two adults, help with repairs to roofs, kitchens, and bathrooms, installing floors, replacing windows, painting, paneling drywall, and installing wood siding and wheelchair ramps. At the end of each workday, participants are transported back to their host church for an evening of fun, fellowship and worship.
Lisa Hunt, who serves as camp director with her husband, Jeff, believes everyone gains from their experience with Sea City Work Camp.
“It’s life-changing for everyone — the volunteers, the homeowners and even directors,” she said. “Each year, we select six to eight youths to serve as deans, and they actually organize the program of events and make the decisions.”
As camp directors, the Hunts help facilitate to make sure everything runs smoothly.
“The homeowners are so humbled by these teenagers,” Hunt said. “Meanwhile, the teenagers themselves are often amazed at the new skills they've learned, which helps to increase their own confidence. And the positive feelings they feel from helping a household in need, it will stay with them all their life and shape the choices they make.”
Program leaders want more people to learn about the organization, to volunteer and reap the benefits.
“We’ve been doing it more than 24 years, yet we discover many people still don’t know about it,” Jurecek said. “We hope to continue to get funds so this program doesn’t end. That’s our goal is to let the community know we’re here and to get support to keep us running for a long time.”
The program adds lifelong value to everyone who participates, Jurecek added. She became part of the program after her two children served as volunteers for many years.
“Seeing the positive reactions from the homeowners they have helped makes an impression on the youth,” she said. “They carry this into their adult lives because they have now become someone who wants to give to others. That’s such a valuable lesson to impart to the youth.”
Those wishing to donate or volunteer or families in the Corpus Christi area affected by Hurricane Harvey wanting to apply for home repairs can visit any Ashley HomeStore in the Corpus Christi area. They can also visit seacityworkcamp.com to fill out an application online or call (361) 946-9675 (WORK) to fill out an application over the phone.

Sea City Work Camp is a nonprofit 501c 3 corporation. For more information, call 361-946 WORK (9675), visit seacityworkcamp.com  or mail correspondence to Sea City Work Camp, P.O. BOX 10449, Corpus Christi, TX 78460.