Looking for a meaningful way to support affordable housing in our community while enjoying an evening of art and culture? The UNC Habitat for Humanity chapter is hosting their annual Art For Humanity auction on Sunday, April 6th, and it’s an event you won’t want to miss. We’ve checked your calendar and consulted your “friends” and you are free, so no excuses!
Event Details
What: Art For Humanity, hosted by UNC Habitat for Humanity
When: Sunday, April 6, 2025, 6:00-8:00 PM EST
Where: Blue Hill Event Center, 200 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Attire: Business Casual
Tickets: $15, available here
Can’t attend? Donate directly here
Full event information: Event website
The evening will feature a curated selection of student and local artwork, live bidding, live music, light refreshments, and inspiring speakers.
Getting to Know UNC Habitat
We chatted with Courtland Bartosik, a leader with UNC Habitat, to learn more about this dynamic student organization and their connection to Orange County Habitat for Humanity.
What draws students to UNC Habitat?
UNC Habitat has over 500 members active in its community and on its social channels. Every weekend, the organization fills site builds which we’ve found is the big draw to the organization, especially for its freshmen members. The tangible aspect of homebuilding, alongside the opportunity to make such an impactful difference in our community is really what attracts new members.
How does UNC Habitat engage with Orange Habitat?
UNC Habitat has a very active relationship with Orange Habitat. For one, UNC is on site every weekend with Orange Habitat, working alongside the staff & other volunteering groups and homebuyers. The builds have become incredibly popular amongst the students, which has allowed Orange Habitat to consistently anticipate UNC volunteers every week as reliable hands to get the job done. All of our fundraising goes towards advancing the Habitat mission & mitigating the affordable housing crisis in our community. As of this year, UNC Habitat also works with the Restores in the Triangle area, creating more volunteer opportunities for our students to be active with the organization. When not on build sites, UNC Habitat participates in their own fundraising and volunteering efforts on UNC’s Campus.
Why do housing issues matter to UNC students?
With Chapel Hill and its surrounding areas beginning to price out its own residents, local issues are becoming more of a priority for many UNC students, many of which already face struggles with affordable housing. Along Franklin Street, it is almost impossible to find a housing option for less than $1300/bedroom which is a price that is beyond the income means of most students. In Chapel Hill alone, you would have to make $36/hour to afford a modest two bed 1 bath apartment – forcing students to live in cramped quarters with their friends & finding any means of housing that they can afford.
When Habitat creates a presence on UNC’s campus and within the community, it creates a sense of hope and possibility of homeownership for these students. Right now, our generation knows that homeownership is out of reach, so when they discover that there’s a way to advance a mission that can one day help us get there, students begin to care more about local issues than ever before. These students who get involved with the organization aren’t one-and-done volunteers; they stick around for all four years of college, giving more time and effort every year as they see the changes they can make in their own backyard.
How will proceeds from the event be used?
All the proceeds from the event go directly towards advancing Orange County Habitat for Humanity’s mission. Currently, OC Habitat is building a new mixed-income community, Weaver’s Grove, that our students have had the privilege of contributing to over the last year. OC Habitat decides how our proceeds are allocated based on their organizational needs.
So mark your calendars
and join the UNC Habitat community April 6th for an evening celebrating art and affordable housing. Your participation directly supports the vital work happening right here in Orange County.
Please consider a donation if you can’t attend.