Members of the NIU chapter of Habitat for Humanity gathered in King Memorial Commons Tuesday to build two doghouses as a part of Act! Speak! Build! Week.

The “build-off” was a race between two teams to build and decorate two doghouses.

Habitat for Humanity planned the event to raise awareness of poverty housing and to promote the NIU chapter of Habitat, said Claudia Wilson, a senior English major and the president of the NIU chapter.

“It’s something to get people to talk to us about what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” Wilson said.

Wilson said NIU Habitat members are learning from the experience as well.

“It’s raising awareness for others and also for ourselves by putting ourselves in the shoes of somebody without shelter,” Wilson said.

Sophomore family social services major Lisa Wojcik, who competed in the build-off, served as a member of the Southern Illinois University chapter of Habitat before coming to NIU.

“It isn’t necessarily building a house that’s the fulfilling part. It’s knowing you’re helping others,” Wojcik said. “You don’t get to help others unless you’re part of an organization these days.”

An important part of Habitat is the group effort involved, said junior biology major and Habitat member Ryan Marsh.

“It’s unique in the way that everybody has their own idea of going into it,” Marsh said. “In the end you have a finished product with a little piece of everybody in it.”