Habitat Greater Raleigh's Summer of Service program is a unique internship that gives young adults the opportunity to work alongside our team, develop new skills and gain firsthand experience in nonprofit work.
Before heading out to job sites and Habitat ReStores to complete 125 hours of service, our interns spent an incredible orientation week at the end of June learning about Habitat's mission and developing the skills they will need for a successful summer.
We'd like to introduce these interns! Read below to meet the first four participants and stay tuned as we spotlight the rest of the students throughout the summer.
Aakash is a student at Green Level High School. He plans to pursue engineering and is excited to spend his summer with Habitat so he can learn more about construction. He is most excited to work alongside other people while completing his hours. When not volunteering, he enjoys playing ice hockey, traveling, and exploring nature.
What does home mean to you?
A place where you feel safe during times of stress or when you’re happy
Why is having a safe, affordable place to live important?
So your mental, physical, and emotional health is in good condition
What's your favorite food?
Raising Cane‘s toast, fries, and sauce
Who is your favorite music artist or band?
Drake
What's one interesting or unique fact about you someone might not expect?
I enjoy staying in nature even if it means being disconnected from my phone for a while
Advay is planning on studying architecture in college. He learned about the Summer of Service internship as part of the Academy of Engineering program he is part of at Apex Friendship High School and thought this opportunity would a great chance to understand the construction process further and how architecture gets applied in physical builds. In his free time, Advay enjoys lifting weights, running, and spending time with family and friends.
What does home mean to you?
Home, to me, means people who love you and accept you for who you are. It does not have to be a house or a location, but people who treat you like family.
How does having affordable housing opportunities benefit our community?
Having affordable housing allows families and workers to live closer to their work locations. It also supports the economy, decreases housing insecurity, and most importantly, increases the quality of life.
What's your favorite food?
My favorite food is Pho.
What's one interesting or unique fact about you someone might not expect?
I have moved 9 times throughout my life so far across many states and countries.
If you were traveling to a deserted island, what three items would you bring with you?
I would bring a Bible, A notebook and pen with never-ending ink, and a comfortable mattress.
Benjamin is a student at Mississippi State University, studying Interdisciplinary Studies. He is interested in a career in residential construction, and is excited to spend his summer with Habitat to gain more experience in building process, specifically excited to spend time framing wall and roofs. In his free time, his favorite hobby is working on modifying his truck and replacing parts.
What does home mean to you?
A comfortable safe spot that you are proud to own.
How does having affordable housing opportunities benefit our community?
It benefits our community because it puts the residents in a better position to go back out into the community and provide positive energy without feeling like they are drowning.
What's your favorite food?
Hot Wings
Who is your favorite music artist or band?
I like rock music like Audioslave, pearl Jam, and Alice in chains
What's one interesting or unique fact about you someone might not expect?
I own two motorcycles.
Bryar is a current student at Sanderson High School and is looking forward to spending his summer volunteering with Habitat. He is most looking forward to learning how to read site plans and build a house. When he’s not volunteering, he enjoys playing soccer.
What does home mean to you?
Safety
Why is having a safe, affordable place to live important?
Because shelter is a need to survive and affordable housing is the first step to survival
If you were traveling to a deserted island, what three items would you bring with you?
Water filter, cooking pan and machete
What's your favorite food?
French fries
What's one interesting or unique fact about you someone might not expect?
I am fluent in Spanish.