Three Holy Family University faculty members and two staff members worked alongside 18 students over Spring Break in Florida at several building sites in Deerfield Beach, Pompano Beach, Fort Lauderdale, North Lauderdale, and Coral Springs as part of a community service project with Habitat for Humanity of Broward County.

“This trip was such a rewarding experience,” said nursing major Eddie Earley. “We really enjoyed helping those in need and being a part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Holy Family University has partnered with Habitat for Humanity since 2007 and officially established a campus chapter in 2013. The HFU chapter is affiliated with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County and has previously provided outreach in New Orleans, Spokane, and Corpus Christi, among other locales. The international organization enlists volunteers to build or improve homes to provide adequate and affordable housing for community members in need.

“This experience provides a real-life opportunity to live and breathe the mission and core values of our university,” said Executive Director of Retention and Persistence Mike McNulty-Bobholz, who completed his ninth trip and his second to Fort Lauderdale in leading the group. “It allows our students to see more than Northeast Philadelphia and exposes them to the struggles that families have in pursuing the American dream. The students fundraised to cover the cost of the trip and stayed in cabins at a Florida state park throughout their stay.”

Faculty members Dr. Dan Bramer, Dr. Jenai Grigg, and Dr. Jackie Myers and staff members Joe Green and Mike McNulty-Bobholz accompanied students Tyler Burke, Mackenzie Ceresini, Alex Corso, Gianna D’Arcangelo, Abigail Dolan, Eddie Earley, Mike Ferriello, Laura Finnell, Olivia Gargano, Amber Kelly, Emily Madle, Kirsten McCloskey, Andrew McShea, Ky Nguyen, Grace Sarkissian, Abigaile Snyder, Emily Widmayer, and Nicole Wiser.

Learn more about how service is a part of daily life at Holy Family University.