Youth Engaging with Habitat for Humanity to Create Playhouses

The Girl Scouts and members of the John Will Anderson Boys and Girls Club in Gary collaborated with Habitat for Humanity volunteers to construct playhouses for charity. This week, the youth painted plywood playhouses blue with white trim, having assembled the precut plywood sections the previous day.

On November 5, 2026, Habitat for Humanity volunteers, including Darrel Grubbs and Greg Whelan, worked alongside groups to add trim to the playhouses. Jayden, 13, expressed confidence in his ability to help assemble the houses, having painted a real house before. Meanwhile, Lilly, 12, gained satisfaction from knowing her efforts contribute to the community.

According to Habitat Development Director Jennifer Parham, the playhouses will be distributed to local organizations. Two will remain at the Boys and Girls Club at the Tolleston Opportunity Campus, while others will go to a Crossroads YMCA, Flourish Church in Gary, Life Church International in Gary, Woodmar United Methodist Church in Hammond, and Westminster Presbyterian Church in Munster. One playhouse will be auctioned by the Homebuilders Association of Northwest Indiana, starting at $500, with proceeds benefiting Habitat for Humanity.

The Girl Scout troop opted to donate their playhouse to Woodmar Church in Hammond. The recipient churches typically run daycare or after-school programs. Mike Jessen, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, highlighted how this activity exposes youth to building trades and emphasizes community service.

Parham shared that Habitat families contribute 200 service hours toward building their homes. This experience illustrates community commitment. The youth’s involvement in assembling the playhouses demonstrated this principle. The wood had been precut to avoid the use of a saw, reducing risk, but they employed drills and nail guns in the process. Adult volunteers managed the roofing, as it required special tools.

Volunteer Darrel Grubbs, a Schererville resident, noted that constructing a playhouse differs from building a home due to the lack of foundation, electrical, or plumbing work involved, yet considered it a challenging and novel task. Despite initial unease, helpers found organizing and painting the playhouses rewarding.

In a humorous touch, Grubbs sought a wood stretcher for a board that didn’t fit. The painting took place indoors, necessitating caution with wet paint. Jessen mentioned modification of door frames to move playhouses in and out of the workspace.

Nick Burmester from Munster, involved in Habitat for Humanity, praised the project’s educational value for the Girl Scouts. He likened cutting paint trim to assembling Legos, offering practical lessons in detail-oriented tasks.

James Drader, Habitat Executive Director, emphasized the importance of youth engagement for future volunteerism and skill development. Upcoming plans include another series of playhouses and a new house development in Lake Station. Drader encouraged families to explore opportunities through Habitat’s website.

Reporter Doug Ross contributed this story to the Post-Tribune.