CLU Net Impact: A Brush with Kindness

This student post was written by M.A. Social Impact student, Faeda Elliot.
Please see author bio at the end of post.

Everybody leaves a Habitat for Humanity project feeling like they have been part of something significant, contributing to the best of their abilities. The experience that the Claremont Lincoln University (CLU) Net Impact team had was no exception.

In early June, the Net Impact team—comprising of CLU students, faculty, and staff—participated in a home repair project through Habitat for Humanity San Bernardino. The project was part of their “A Brush with Kindness” program, which steps in to help local homeowners bring their homes back up to safety and housing codes. The goals of the program are to provide safe living conditions, preserve home-ownership, help sustain affordable housing, and improve neighborhoods.

The volunteer coordinator and project manager greeted the team appreciatively and explained the work at hand. The task was to strip down the paint on the siding of the exterior of the house and detached garage and prepare it for the next stage of sanding and painting. The team jumped right in using the tools provided: safety masks, scrapers, hammers, and a power washer. They eagerly climbed ladders and scaffolding to get the job done.

The Net Impact team worked on the house for two days and enjoyed seeing how much they made a difference on the project. It also proved to be a wonderful bonding experience for the team and provided a great outlet for them to put their passion of helping others into action. A fitting experience for a group enrolled in Social Impact coursework!

About the Author

Faeda Elliott is the owner of Insquired, a graphic design firm with a passion for social good. She is also a student at Claremont Lincoln University in the Social Impact Master’s program.