An eighth grader from Knoxville has a creative — and memorable — way to raise awareness for affordable housing in Knox County.
Michael Knight, a student at Knoxville Jr. High School, developed a Pay It Forward project called "Give a Crap About Habitat" — a campaign that uses bathroom humor to draw attention to the fact that millions of Americans lack access to decent housing and basic sanitation. His dad, Jordan Knight, is a former executive director of Habitat Knox County and current board member.
The two joined Galesburg's Morning News Wednesday morning to talk about the project and preview a community event this Saturday.
Topics covered in this interview:
- How Michael chose Habitat for Humanity for his Pay It Forward project
- How Habitat works — zero-interest loans, sweat equity, and the three pillars of need, ability, and partnership
- Habitat Knox County's 56 homes built since 1993 and the current build near Lombard School
- Saturday's event at Innkeeper's Fresh Roasted Coffee — prize wheel, trivia, the porcelain throne photo op, and more
- How to volunteer or donate with Habitat Knox County
The event is Saturday, April 18, from 8-11 a.m. at Innkeeper's Fresh Roasted Coffee, corner of Ferris and Seminary in Galesburg. To learn more or get involved, visit HabitatKnox.org or call (309) 343-2242.

