By Jessica Barzilay

A team of students led by Jason Mohr ’11 has formed a Harvard-Westlake of Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter.

The chapter consists of an executive group of sophomores and juniors who came together to improve substandard living conditions in Los Angeles.

The chapter is planning a 5 kilometer walk to raise awareness that will take place on Oct. 10.

Mohr has been working with the local Habitat for Humanity affiliate to organize the chapter and plan the event since Oct. 2008.

Proceeds from the walk will be used to help build 24 houses in the project to provide housing for residents of Los Angeles.

Mohr had volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since the summer of 2008 and learned about the opportunity to start a high school chapter through his volunteer work.

After speaking with the local affiliate, Mohr sought approval to form the school organization from Chaplain J. Young and Director of Student Affairs Jordan Church, and secured history teacher Leslie Rockenbach as supervisor.

From there, Mohr worked with Rockenbach to draft a 40-page contract that outlined the basic structure of Harvard-Westlake’s Habitat for Humanity chapter.

Melanie Borinstein ’11, Jordan Gavens ’12, Gabi Kuhn ’12 and Cami de Ry ’12 make up the rest of the executive team.

The group’s first official effort took place last spring, when they set up a table in the Quad selling Dollar Chocolate Bars. They successfully raised $500.

“Because there is so much to be done, anyone who wants to get involved is greatly appreciated,” Mohr said.

Mohr said he hopes to recruit students at the Activities Fair Sept. 23 to participate in the five kilometer walk.

“The idea of the event is great for the Harvard-Westlake community, but also for the community at large,” Mohr said.