Garland Area Habitat for Humanity welcomed 60 volunteer Southern Methodist University Rotunda Scholars this week to tackle tornado-rela
ted projects, two in Rowlett and one in Garland. The students helped replace a fence for one homeowner, painted for another and helped install cabinets in a third home.
“We are so impressed with the commitment to service of the SMU Rotunda Scholars and we look forward to working with them again.” said Beth Leos, community outreach director.
Ebonii Nelson, who serves as director of the Rotunda Academic Scholars Program, explained the scholars program.
“The Rotunda Academic Scholars Program is one of Southern Methodist University’s premier scholars program that seeks to promote leadership, scholarship and service. Through its Pillars of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Emergence, the program promotes academic excellence while intentionally attending to scholars’ demonstrated leadership ability and desire to further develop their skill set, scholar’s attention to service and civic engagement, and their overall marketability for “world-changing” careers. Rotunda Scholars challenge themselves not only to nurture and develop their expertise in a career area, but to also share their gifts with their communities locally and beyond.”
About Habitat for Humanity of Greater Garland: Founded in 1993, Garland Area Habitat for Humanity (GAHFH) is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization, Habitat for Humanity International. Operating on Christian principles, GAHFH shares the mission of Habitat International, seeking to put God’s love into action by building homes, communities and hope. GAHFH is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Garland, Rowlett, Sachse, and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions. Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.