This fall more than 20 members of Bryant’s new Habitat for Humanity club engaged in their first Build Day, helping to restore a Burrillville home. They primed, painted, built stairs, installed siding, and dug post holes alongside the other Habitat volunteers, ending the day tired but proud.

“This is a club where you can actually go out in the community and make a difference,” notes club Vice President Erica Treese ’19. “Habitat’s great because you can learn something new, and do something you’ve never done before. You get to go out and get your hands dirty.” 

“Working with Bryant’s students is absolutely fabulous. They’re always right there, eager to work and do anything we need them to.”

Founded last spring by Justin Dauley ’18, the Bryant club brings together students from all class years and courses of study in support of Habitat for Humanity, an international organization that partners with families and veterans in need to provide affordable housing. 

For the club’s dedicated and enthusiastic members, Build Day was a long-awaited chance to make a difference. “It’s super-exciting," says club Secretary Erin Downing ’19. “We’ve been preparing for it for a while, and now it’s finally happening. It’s great to be able to give back to the community and help out as much as we can.”

The event, she says, allowed the students to put classroom lessons in teamwork and problem solving to work in the real world. “We’re not just business students in suits giving presentations.”

Working toward a good cause makes the effort all the more satisfying. “This was a great experience. It’s really gratifying to be able to help out,” says Kimberly Flynn ’19. “Everyone should get involved with Habitat because you get to work with the Rhode Island community, you gain new skills, and you meet so many new people.”

Building the club's future

The group has big plans, including more Build Days, working with Habitat’s ReStore low-cost home improvement store and donation center initiative, and aiding Rise Against Hunger, an international nonprofit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other life-changing aid to people in developing nations. 

The key to their efforts, they say, is collaboration. “Nobody can build a house alone,” points out club President Alec Turner ’21, who is consistently impressed by the work ethic shown by all the club's members and Residence Hall Area Director Esther Thomas, the club's advisor. “Teamwork is important.” 

Their assistance is greatly appreciated. “Working with Bryant’s students is absolutely fabulous,” says Louise Carriere, co-treasurer of Habitat for Humanity, West Bay and Northern RI. “They’re always right there, eager to work and do anything we need them to.”