Jonah Clemons, from left, and Elena Millanez, engineering students from Northern Arizona University, remove a showerhead for a resident at Vallecito Mobile Home Park in Thousand Oaks on March 25, 2026. The two were part of a group of volunteers for Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County’s collegiate challenge. JUAN CARLO/THE STAR Credit: VC Star
Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County (Habitat Ventura) hosted its annual Collegiate Challenge from March 22nd to 28th. The week-long event is an alternative spring break program that brings college students from chapters of Theta Tau Fraternity across the country to work alongside the organization’s Home Repair team. This year’s cohort of ten volunteers, from UC Merced and Northern Arizona University, spent the week completing repairs across four homes at Vallecito, a 55+ manufactured housing community. Work included painting, replacing doors, completing appliance and electrical work, installing showers, and repairing stairs. Each project addressed the kind of deferred maintenance that can put a senior’s ability to stay in their home at risk.
“I couldn’t do this without them. Literally, from the outside of my house, which they did last year, to the inside of my house, which they’re doing this year,” said Rebecca T., a Vallecito resident whose home received repairs.
Tatum, a widowed Air Force veteran and retired nurse, has partnered with Habitat Ventura twice. “Life is really different when you’re a widow, and things happen and you never know — sometimes you’re not prepared to deal with the enormity of issues that come up in life,” she said. “Your story can be like mine — a tragedy leads to triumph because of people like this, who are truly kind.”
The Collegiate Challenge is Habitat for Humanity’s national alternative spring break program, connecting college students with hands-on volunteer service in communities where housing stability is under pressure. Theta Tau, a professional engineering fraternity with chapters at engineering schools across the country, has partnered with Habitat Ventura on the program for over 10 years. Volunteers kicked off the week with a BBQ hosted by Darcy Taylor, CEO of Habitat Ventura. The group was hosted for the week at Camarillo United Methodist Church in Camarillo, whose facilities were made available through the support of Don Howald.
For some participants, the week has become an annual commitment. Several students have participated for three years in a row, making the Collegiate Challenge a recurring part of their spring break. “We got to help someone that we helped last year. It was nice to go back and make sure she has what she needs to be secure in her home. We want her to be safe, healthy, and happy,” said Elena M., a returning Theta Tau volunteer.
“What this program does for students is provide lessons that last for a lifetime. They leave with a completely different understanding of what the affordable housing crisis looks like up close. What they do for these residents will stick with