Young Volunteers Lead Inspiring Home Restoration Efforts After Hurricane Ida’s Destruction

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Hurricane Ida left behind a mess—damaged homes, ruined belongings, and people struggling to get back on their feet.

But incredibly, in the middle of all that destruction, groups of young people showed up to help.

They didn’t solely talk about making a difference; they rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

Their efforts, both in New Jersey and Louisiana, are a great reminder of how much good people can do when they come together.

In Manville, New Jersey, one homeowner lived in a house that had become unsafe after severe flooding.

The storm had wrecked the first-floor living spaces, including the kitchen and living room, leaving them unusable.

As a result, the homeowner faced a difficult and dangerous situation with no way to repair the damage alone.

And that’s when a group of carpentry students from Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School (SCVTHS) came to the rescue.

The carpentry students—Alexander Arguello, Nick DeSan, Christian Herzog Amantea, Logan Russomanno, and Addison Ziegler—joined their teacher, Dan LaRue, and other school staff to help out.

They partnered with Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity, a group that helps people fix their homes.

Together, they replaced the subfloor so new laminate flooring could be installed.

And as you can imagine, it wasn’t an easy feat.

They split into groups to handle everything efficiently and worked as a team to make progress.

Adam Capone, Habitat’s Lead Carpenter, was amazed by their skills, saying the students worked like seasoned professionals.

For the students, this was about more than learning carpentry skills—it was about helping someone in need.

Alexander Arguello shared how rewarding it felt to combine his passion for working with his hands and his desire to make a difference in someone’s life.

This project is part of a long partnership between SCVTHS and Habitat for Humanity.

Perhaps the biggest highlight of the project is that it gives students a chance to use what they learn in school to help real people.

At the same time, they better understand how their skills can improve lives.

It’s a win-win for everyone.

Another group of young volunteers was hard at work in the farther South, in LaPlace, Louisiana.

Fourteen teenagers from all over the U.S. came together through Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian organization that helps people after disasters.

They were part of The World Race, a gap-year program for teens who want to grow in their faith and help others.

Louisiana was their first big mission for these teens after five weeks of training.

One of the people they helped was 78-year-old Ria Hilken.

Sadly, her home was severely damaged in the storm.

Part of the ceiling had caved in, and a massive tree had fallen in her backyard, which destroyed her beloved garden.

Over two days, the teens cleared the tree, removed damaged drywall, and even sorted through canned goods to check for expired food.

Before they left, they gave her a Bible filled with handwritten notes of encouragement.

And Ria said it felt like a miracle.

For the volunteers, this was about connecting with the people they helped.

Teenager Amelia Tabatt loved hearing Ria’s story about moving to America in the 1960s.

In many ways, these personal connections made the hard work even more meaningful.

For Amelia, helping others is a way of life inspired by her grandmother’s mission work years ago.

Another volunteer, Hayden Lacy, joined the program to get the chance to travel but found much more than he expected.

He said working on homes and getting to know the homeowners gave him a deep sense of purpose.

The group made sure to sign each homeowner’s Bible as a way to show their gratitude for letting them help.

After finishing their work in Louisiana, the teens headed back to Georgia to prepare for their next mission in Costa Rica.

There, they’ll continue their mission of helping people in need.

These two groups of young people—one in New Jersey and one in Louisiana—showed what it means to step up when others need help.

Amazingly, they gave people a chance to move forward and feel supported.

Their efforts remind us that even when things seem hopeless, people are always willing to lend a hand.

And sometimes, those hands belong to teenagers who prove that no one is too young to make a big difference.