Raritan Valley Habitat Volunteer Helps Rebuild Communities Across the Globe
Bedminster, NJ (October 28, 2021) — From New Jersey, to Brazil, Costa Rica and beyond, Kaitlyn Reper, a registered nurse and volunteer, is passionate about building communities and hope wherever she goes. Kaitlyn has been volunteering with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity since 2010. She serves on the construction team and gala planning committee, and volunteers regularly at the Habitat ReStore in Manville, NJ. In addition to being a valued volunteer, she is an avid traveler, and is getting ready to head out on her next adventure.
In December, Kaitlyn will be travelling to Portugal, followed by a trip to Puerto Rico in January. She is going with Fuller Center for Housing, a Christian organization that aims to eradicate poverty housing by partnering with community members to build and rehabilitate housing for those in need. This will be Kaitlyn’s first experience with the Fuller Center for Housing, but she is no stranger to serving others while traveling abroad!
As a student at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ, Kaitlyn began traveling with her campus’s Habitat for Humanity chapter on spring breaks. She traveled to many places within the country: Oakland, California; Miami, Florida; and New Orleans, Louisiana to provide relief after Hurricane Katrina. On these trips, she and the group of volunteers she traveled with stayed in volunteer shelters, schools, and even slept on church floors. Kaitlyn shares that one of the most rewarding experiences was returning to New Orleans the next year, and not being able to sleep in the same school — as it had become fully operational as a school once again thanks to the help received.
For Kaitlyn, and many others, the most rewarding part of home building and rehabilitation trips is the knowledge that the work they’re completing is directly helping those in need. “I’m most excited about getting back out there and making a direct impact,” Kaitlyn says. “You really don’t realize how fortunate you are. Going on these trips opens your eyes; these people would not get the help they need if it weren’t for organizations like Habitat for Humanity.”
Kaitlyn’s first international trip was to Brazil, and most recently she led the Habitat for Humanity trip to Portugal in 2019. Aside from helping those in need, the trips also allow volunteers to have a cultural experience. In Honduras, Kaitlyn took a tour of a coffee plantation and explored the Mayan ruins. On her next trip, she looks forward to experiencing Portuguese Christmas traditions and learning some Portuguese baking.
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity is very blessed to work with such a passionate and driven volunteer. From her very first Women Build event in Bridgewater, to all of the time and effort spent on our most recent home in Montgomery, Kaitlyn is an essential and valued part of the RV Habitat family.
If you’d like to support Kaitlyn Reper’s mission work, she is hosting a Panera Bread fundraiser on Tuesday, November 2nd, where a percentage of funds from all purchases will go toward her trip expenses. The fundraiser will be from 4pm – 8pm, and will be at the Panera located at 325 US Highway 202, Flemington, NJ 08822. The flyer for the fundraiser and link to donate are below.
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About Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity
Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity (RVHFH) puts God’s love into action and brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Our vision is a time when everyone in Hunterdon and Somerset counties has a decent place to live. Since 1991, RV Habitat has been building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable home ownership opportunities for hard-working, local families. RV Habitat has built 140 homes internationally through tithing. To support these projects by making a donation, please visit www.rvhabitat.org/give or mail a donation to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, P.O. Box 330 Pluckemin, NJ 07978. For individuals (ages 16+) and groups who would like to volunteer on the Montgomery Township build site, visit rvhabitat.org/volunteer.
