ELPO Summer Vocation Teens build character as they construct homes for needy. BAILA LAZARUS Special to the Jewish News W hen Rebecca Nadis returned to school Aug. 22, she brought with her a better work ethic than ever before. The Farmington Hills teen was among 13 youths, aged 16-18, who spent the summer volunteering with the American Jewish Society for Service (AJSS), build- ing houses for low-income families with Habitat for Humanity in the Vancouver, Canada, area. "My work ethic has changed," said Rebecca, 17. "I'll definitely be working harder from now on. I'll be able to do things that are a little more uncomfortable with greater ease." Rebecca's twin sister Emily also volunteered this summer with AJSS, serving in the Eugene, Oregon, area. A senior along with her sister at the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit in West Bloomfield, Rebecca said the AJSS project stood out for her from a list of summer volunteer opportunities she received from a college counselor. "It's different and fun," said Rebecca. "You get to go somewhere exciting but also do something really cool. It's the best of both worlds." AJSS is an independent, nonprofit group that has been organizing.summer work programs since 1950. Its goal is to "give young people an opportunity for serving their fellow men in need." Projects usually involve the construction or repair of buildings. This year, in addition to construction projects in Oregon Sweat Eton Sisters agree, volunteer work can be 'very cool.' CHELSEA DUNCAN Special to the Jewish News mily Nadis matched her twin sister Rebecca's efforts --- spend- ing the summer with 13 other Jewish teens, build- ing homes with another JFSS team in the Eugene, Ore., area. "I think that this is probably one of the most and Michigan, AJSS set up a work project with Habitat in Burnaby, a suburb of Vancouver. It was the first time the organization ventured out of the United States or Israel. Over the course of six weeks, Rebecca and her team- mates helped build an entire level of a four-unit hous- ing project. It made Rebecca appreciate how even small tasks are important. "I know now that every little job is important, regardless of whether it's something [obvious] or in the background," she said. "We had to do tarring, which is something everybody hated. But it's actually water- proofing someone's basement. It's not like putting up a wall, but it's important to building a house." Not meant to be a slacker vacation, the teens' days consisted of an early rise at 7 a.m. to be on the site in Burnaby by 8 a.m. They helped out with any type of construction needed, from installing prefab walls to putting up scaffolding to finishing drywall. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, non-govern- mental organization seeking to eliminate poverty housing around the world. With volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Habitat works with families in need to build or renovate simple houses, which are sold to partner families at no profit and are financed with affordable, no-interest mort- gages. Homeowner families must help build their own houses and the houses of other families, working side by side with volunteers. "It's a good reminder that this isn't just a summer project," said Rebecca. "It's building someone's home." Besides their daily construction duties, 'the project participants got to enjoy the amenities that Greater worthwhile of things I've ever done," said Emily, 17, of Farmington Hills. The teens slept on hard cots, took cold showers and lived out of middle school classrooms. Plus, they had to pay the expenses of their volunteer activi- ties. "Our campers get a very meaningful summer that basically changes their lives," said Ron Brent, one of the pro- gram directors who accompanied the group with his family to Douglas County, Ore. The modest living condi- tions and long workdays teach them to appreciate what they have back home, he said, adding, "They get a good feel- ing from helping others.' , Saundra Romero, of the Oregon- based self-help housing program the teens assisted, said the youths are setting a good example for others their age. "It was a real positive experience — an amazing social experience," Emily said. "I was at first nervous Volunteer Rebecca Nadis works on the roof of housing construction in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver has to offer, including hiking in the local mountains, visiting the Whistler resort area (north of the city) and doing some kayaking. Rebecca said she will definitely recommend the AJSS program. "This was the best summer I've ever had," she said. "I was just sitting there noticing we built walls, we built a floor, stairs. At home, I built a box. It's kind of amazing to know I've built a house." ❑ Baila Lazarus is a freelance writer, photographer and illustrator living in Vancouver. Teens interested in participating in AJSS pro- grams must be between their sophomore and senior year in high school. For more informa- tion, contact the American Jewish Society for Service, 15 East 26th St., Suite 1029, New York, N.Y., 10010. Call 212-683-6178 or visit www.ajss.org. For information on Habitat for Humanity, visit www.habitat.org. - 111111111111111111ENNIESIMIIIIIIIIIM to go by myself, but we were immedi- ately comfortable with each other. I would definitely recommend this pro- gram. You get to help people and you feel productive." Emily said she's learned about the dif- ficulties of becoming a homeowner and living in a low-income bracket. She learned to appreciate her own home life more. "I don't take anything for granted anymore," she said. And sister Rebecca picked up some practical skills, too. "I learned how to use a hammer and a nail," she said. "I learned how to use every kind of saw that exists. I learned how to make a flight of stairs, and, if it's squeaky, know which part is loose and hasn't been nailed in right. "When you're working with the future homeowners and they're building their own house and you're right along- side helping them, it's quite an incredi- ble experience," she said. "It's very cool." Emily Nadis helping to build houses in Winston, Ore. The girls' father, Ronn Nadis, was totally supportive of their efforts. "The AJSS experience is a perfect combination of tikkun olarn [repair of the world] and summer fiin," he said. Li IN Senior Copy Editor David Sachs con- tributed to this report. Chelsea Duncan is a reporter for the News-Review in Roseburg, Ore.