January Volunteer Spotlight

East Los Angeles College had the pleasure of bringing about 15 Architecture students to volunteer with San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity! The group was split into two teams, each working on essential finishing tasks at two houses, including patching, sanding, and painting walls, ceilings, fireplaces, and exteriors.

At one location, students had the unique opportunity to dive into the architectural and structural drawings for the renovation, getting a closer look at the design process that goes into creating these incredible spaces. The students, ranging from those just starting their first semester to a few who have already completed the program, got a firsthand experience of how their classroom work translates into tangible, real-world projects.

It was a powerful reminder of how the lines they draw and the models they create evolve into large-scale buildings that require many hours, countless hands, and teamwork to bring to life.

The students thoroughly enjoyed their time, and they’re already looking forward to setting up another Build Day this summer! It was an inspiring day for everyone involved, reinforcing the value of hands-on learning and community impact.

The Occidental College Habitat for Humanity Club had an incredible experience during their recent Build Day in El Sereno. On-site, the group focused on painting the windowsills and the area beneath the roof, creating a seamless and clean white exterior for the house. It was inspiring to see the transformation as they worked together to make a visible impact.

The students also appreciated the opportunity to form a strong sense of community with the other volunteers and Habitat staff. The shared purpose and collaboration made the day especially meaningful.

The club is already looking forward to organizing another Build Day soon and continuing their partnership with Habitat to support the mission of building safe and beautiful homes.

Camp Pendleton, the renowned Marine Corps Base in Oceanside, made a tremendous impact by sending 11 of their highly skilled construction workers to lend a helping hand at our El Sereno build site. Their dedication and eagerness to contribute to the recovery efforts after the devastating fires were truly inspiring. This incredible team brought their expertise and commitment to the forefront, helping to create lasting change and support for the community in its time of need.

Sixteen enthusiastic volunteers from Polytechnic High School rolled up their sleeves at our El Sereno construction site and made a meaningful impact with Habitat for Humanity! Working side by side with their peers, they took pride in giving back to the Los Angeles community while transforming their surroundings. From scraping chipped stucco to tackling yard work and clearing debris, they put in the hard work—and had a blast doing it! By the end of the day, every volunteer shared the same sentiment: they can’t wait to lend a hand with Habitat again!

Shoutout to the dedicated students from Mark Keppel High School who made a huge impact at the Pasadena ReStore!  They helped sort and distribute donations to support wildfire victims—what an inspiring example of compassion and teamwork.

School groups, we’d love to have you join us in creating change. Together, we can make a real difference! Check out the link in our bio to book a day for your school and club!