Alumni Join Thrivent, Habitat Alliance

Valparaiso University’s service focus has made a lasting impression on thousands of alumni, among them Kelsey Peterson ’05.

She is one of many alumni participating in the new four-year, $105 million alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity International. “Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity” is aimed at helping more families achieve the dream of home ownership.

Mike Juell ’06, Erin Gladstone ’05 and Kelsey Peterson ’05 stand in the foundation of a Habitat for Humanity home in Carmelitos Chico, a small town in central Mexico.

Peterson serves as a publicity specialist with the national Thrivent Builds with Habitat for Humanity leadership team in Minneapolis.

“I first got involved with Habitat for Humanity as a student volunteer and leader with our Valpo campus chapter,” she says. “For me, this turned into a chance to use the communication and relationship-building skills that I learned in class and in student organizations into a career making a dif­ference and doing what I love.”

Peterson has joined other Valpo alumni and students in proj­ects both at home and abroad. Last year, groups traveled to Mexico and Guatemala to build homes for low-income families. This year, hun­dreds of homes are being built in coun­tries across the globe and more than 350 homes are being built in the United States, including a home in Valparaiso.

Learn how you can get involved at www.thriventbuilds.com.