The Community Service Center will be giving students at the University of Alabama a chance to aid in rebuilding a homeless shelter for those who are without a place to live across Tuscaloosa.

This service project, which is in support of the Tracy Dent Foundation, will take place on Feb. 9and 15, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.

“There is a need in Tuscaloosa for homeless shelters; there used to be only two and now we need more space for people who are homeless,” said Wahnee Sherman, director of the Community Service Center.

The remodeling of the homeless shelter will include volunteers building a foundation for the home and installing interior and exterior walls along with cleaning out a donation house. Volunteers are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and appropriate clothing for work involving construction.

“After the tornado, there have been more people who were immediately homeless, and due to the economy there are people who are temporarily homeless,” Sherman said.

The Tracy Dent Foundation was created to give homeless young men a second chance through education and employment. The Community Service Center has been working with the Tracy Dent Foundation for over a year on projects and has maintained a relationship with the foundation.

“We have greatly expanded service opportunities to each student,” Sherman said. “We have had large events like Beat Auburn Beat Hunger. On average we have about 25-30 students come to volunteer.”

Along with the opportunity to remodel the homeless shelter, the Service Center has been giving students occasions every week and month to participate in community service events.

“Most students take for granted the luxuries they have here, and for those who have not seen poverty before it will be an eye-opening experience,” said Harrison Roberts, a junior majoring in management. “Because of the tornado, there should be more homeless shelters being built.”

Students who wish to volunteer for this event can visit slpro.ua.edu and reserve a spot. Students will be able to use this volunteer opportunity to log community service hours. There will be a shuttle at the Ferguson Center on both days for registered students. The shuttle will leave at 2:30 p.m., and transport the participants to and from the homeless shelter.

The homeless shelter is located at 15769 Thomas Chapel Rd. in Cottondale, Ala.

For more information about the community service center and this volunteering opportunity, visit www.volunteer.ua.edu.