Group photo of Habitat for Humanity Build for Unity volunteers

School of Medicine takes part in 2022 Habitat for Humanity Build for Unity

Volunteers work alongside community partners and home recipients

(SACRAMENTO)

Nearly 30 UC Davis School of Medicine students, faculty and staff recently took part in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s annual Build for Unity. 

The event took place during Interfaith Harmony Week, where more than 250 volunteers – from dozens of organizations – came together to raise money and provide critical volunteer muscle to help build 13 homes. All will go to families in need in Habitat for Humanity’s Mandolin Estates. 

“We had tremendous interest from our School of Medicine community to participate in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s Build for Unity, said School of Medicine Interim Dean Susan Murin. “The enthusiastic willingness of our students, trainees, faculty, and staff to volunteer – especially during the ongoing pandemic – exemplifies our values in action.” 

Susan Murin, interim dean of the School of Medicine
We had tremendous interest from our School of Medicine community to participate in Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s Build for Unity. The enthusiastic willingness of our students, trainees, faculty, and staff to volunteer – especially during the ongoing pandemic – exemplifies our values in action.”Susan Murin, interim dean, School of Medicine
composite of the Build with Unity workers
Roughly 30 volunteers from the School of Medicine took part in the Build for Unity.

Building homes for families

Scott Fishman, professor and Fullerton Endowed Chair in Pain Medicine and executive vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology, was one of the many School of Medicine volunteers that day. He enjoyed the experience and expressed heartfelt appreciation for the unique volunteer opportunity. 

“I have volunteered many times, but this was something I hadn’t done before,” Fishman said. “It was wonderful to contribute to building a home, especially for families who are struggling to get into our housing market. It was a rewarding and inspiring experience.” 

Fishman enjoyed the volunteer experience so much that he signed up for an upcoming orientation with Habitat for Humanity to learn about other volunteer opportunities he and his family can participate in later this year. 

“My wife, who is a volunteer faculty member here at the School of Medicine, and I, had a lot of fun learning some of the intricacies involved in building a home from the ground up,” Fishman reflected. “Giving back to the community in this way is not just altruistic, but also a personally enriching experience.” 

Scott Fishman, professor and Fullerton Endowed Chair in Pain Medicine and executive vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology
It was wonderful to contribute to building a home, especially for families who are struggling to get into our housing market. It was a rewarding and inspiring experience.”Scott Fishman, professor and Fullerton Endowed Chair in Pain Medicine and executive vice chair of the Department of Anesthesiology

Emily Chan, a Master’s in Public Health candidate at the School of Medicine, was also eager to volunteer and learn more about the Sacramento region. 

“I’m originally from the Bay Area and am relatively new to Sacramento,” Chan said. “Being able to get out in the community and provide support for a great cause like this – building homes for families – was incredibly fulfilling. It was also really exciting to volunteer alongside our faculty and staff, as well as recipients of the future home.” 

The Habitat for Humanity home recipients also participated in the home-building process. 

“I recall one of the Habitat staff saying that we’re building homes with love, and that really touched me in a meaningful way. It feels good to know you’re making such an impact in other people’s lives,” Chan said. 

About Build for Unity

Build for Unity began in Sacramento in 2016, when 180 different faith communities and individuals came together to fund and build Habitat for Humanity homes. The goal was a lasting representation of unity within the Sacramento region. 

Since the inaugural Sacramento Build for Unity project, more than 30 cities across the U.S. have established similar projects in their respective communities.

The need for more affordable housing in our region is critical and we are proud to have partnered with UC Davis and so many other faith and community partners for this year’s big Build for Unity event over Interfaith Harmony Week. Our dream is to make affordable homeownership possible for more hardworking low-income families in our community,” said Leah Miller, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento.

Leah Miller, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento
“The need for more affordable housing in our region is critical and we are proud to have partnered with UC Davis and so many other faith and community partners for this year’s big Build for Unity event over Interfaith Harmony Week. Our dream is to make affordable homeownership possible for more hardworking low-income families in our community.”Leah Miller, president and CEO, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento

About Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento is devoted to eradicating substandard housing by constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes through advocacy, training and providing resources to families needing to improve their shelter surroundings.

Learn more about Habitat for Humanity.