Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that builds houses for families who cannot afford one on their own. Habitat for Humanity’s campus chapter at Sacred Heart University provides experiences for students who are service-oriented and enjoy being involved.
Habitat for Humanity shares SHU’s commitment to giving back to its community and preserving the dignity of every human being.
According to their mission statement, “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope.”
Instagram, @shuhabitat
SHU’s Habitat for Humanity chapter building houses on their spring break trip to Pittsboro, NC.
SHU’s Habitat goes on eight workdays per school year, with an additional trip during spring break.
Senior Keara Mulrooney, President of SHU’s Habitat, attended a workday where volunteers laid down the topsoil and seeds for the grass that will become the backyard of a home.
“The CEO of Habitat spoke there, the mayor spoke, and some of the family’s loved ones spoke, as well as other Habitat workers and board members. We got to walk around the house and it was so beautiful, a nice full circle moment,” said Mulrooney.
Mulrooney has attended three spring break trips with Habitat so far and said that they have been a staple of her college experience.
“I wish more people would understand how fulfilling these trips are. I met almost every single person I am friends with here, and I have become the person I am today because I went on that spring break trip my freshmen year,” said Mulrooney.
Habitat has multiple fundraisers throughout the year at local restaurants including Panera and Chipotle. They have an upcoming fundraiser on Dec. 4 called “Jail Bail,” where students and faculty can donate to Habitat by purchasing a warrant to get others ‘arrested.’
“As a campus chapter we try to raise as much money as we can every single year, and that money goes back to Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County [CFC] and that goes to new families that are trying to get new homes in the community. Every hand helps build that home,” said Mulrooney.
Senior Sydney Leppones, Vice President of Habitat at SHU, joined her freshman year and encourages students to take the opportunity to give back.
“I know that personally before college I didn’t do much service, but Habitat gives a very accessible way for students to help their greater community.” said Leppones. “It’s given me a broader scope of how different people in this country work and function, it’s made me more aware. It gave me the opportunity to meet people who are like minded and share the same values and passion for service that I have.”
Greg Madrid, Faculty Advisor and Director of Residential Life has been involved with Habitat since his time in college.
“For the SHU community it allows our students to provide an impact on the hard working members of CFC and allows us to become active members in the community we call home,” said Madrid.
This school year, the club is going on three spring break trips. Destinations include Pittsboro, N.C., New Bern, N.C. and Taos, N.M. Applications to go on these trips are open now with rolling application status.
Residence Hall Director Thomas Dess was an advisor on last year’s spring break trip to Pittsboro.
“It was a great opportunity to see SHU students take what they’ve learned on campus and go out into the world to give back to others. I learned that even if you don’t have any prior experience in building you can do real work that makes an impact on people’s lives,” said Dess.
Habitat for Humanity’s campus chapter at Sacred Heart University meets every other Wednesday at 9 p.m. in the Schine Auditorium and is open to all students.
For more information or to apply for the spring break trip, visit @shuhabitat on Instagram. Students can also contact President Keara Mulrooney through email at mulrooneyk@mail.sacredheart.edu or use their Google Form to apply for the upcoming spring break trip.
