On Friday, September 1 and Saturday, September 2, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., about 30 students will change venues to work at 56 Putnam Street, Providence, where a Habitat for Humanity home is under construction for a local family. The students will be doing framing, siding and general work on the property site. The Urban Action program was initiated by Providence College students in 1991 with 17 students volunteering the first year. Since then, about 1,200 freshmen have participated, with many returning each year as upperclassmen leaders for the program. Past projects have included digging trenches for the city to lay electric lines for a midnight community sports league, and clearing and preparing a spot for Smith Hill Center s outdoor performance center and park.
Students also participate in similar neighborhood projects throughout the academic year.