Henry Stern

Last September, the director of volunteer services at Habitat for Humanity contacted the community relations director at Malibu High School to organize a group of students to come out to one of the Northern California sites. The community relations director from Malibu High referred Henry Stern, a student who ended up organizing three diverse groups to participate in the Habitat project.

Henry recruited members from the Jewish Student Union, The Young Black Scholars and the Latin American Mecha Club. Although the groups did not regularly socialize, he believed that if they came together for a common goal, they might build a bond that would lead to a stronger school community.

In addition to coordinating the students, Henry also recruited construction professionals to participate in the project. He brought each construction professional to an orientation meeting to formulate work plans for the groups to follow.

This group has also committed to continue interaction with the Habitat recipients in a monthly workday at the site.

In addition to his work with Habitat, Henry also organized a school-wide Holocaust awareness program. This three-day event brought Holocaust survivors out to speak with the students of Malibu High School to raise awareness about the issues of racism, intolerance and human suffrage.

An active participant in the Midnight Run Program, Henry regularly goes out into the Santa Monica/Venice area to distribute sack lunches to the homeless. In addition, Henry is currently a coach for a seventh/eighth grade basketball team and is actively involved in the Environmental Club, The California Scholarship Federation Club and the Random Acts of Kindness Club.