Volunteering Leads to A Career in Nonprofit Management.
Our monthly Employee Spotlight will focus on a Habitat for Humanity SPBC employee who is making a difference in our community. Our Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County team is dedicated to building homes, community, and hope.
Brittany Parish became Habitat for Humanity SPBC’s Volunteer and Special Events Coordinator in May 2021. But Brittany’s relationship with Habitat goes back to 2017 when at age 20 she ‘made the leap of faith’ and started volunteering with HFHSPBC – and instantly fell in love. Brittany moved out of the area in 2019, but when she moved back to Boynton Beach, she found a new career at Habitat for Humanity.
Brittany’s experience as a Habitat volunteer provides her with an understanding of the questions prospective volunteers often have about their skills and whether they have what’s needed on the build sites:
“I was as always intrigued by Habitat for Humanity but was too nervous to try to build a home. On the first day on the job site, we did drywall, and one of the staff members, Maria Flores (who has grown to our current Construction Superintendent), taught me how to measure, cut and screw it in. Drywall instantly became my favorite thing to do. Roofing is my second. Always sighed on painting days, only because I wore more paint than the wall did.”
God’s Love In Action
Brittany feels beyond blessed to have the opportunity to work for the nonprofit that means so much to her. Habitat for Humanity’s mission statement, “seeking to put God’s love into action,” really hits home because that is the exact reason why she wanted to join as a volunteer in the first place. Today, Brittany feels God has given her the opportunity to put God’s love into action every day.
Although she’s only worked for Habitat for a few months, Brittany already has some memorable experiences:
- She helped plan her first CEO Build and Veterans Build and is looking forward to planning her first Women Build, which was Brittany’s favorite event as a volunteer.
- As a volunteer, Brittany participated as a crew leader in 3 Women Builds, 1 Collegiate Challenge, 1 CEO Build and 1 Rock the Block.
- After meeting a homeowner on the job site for the first time, Brittany realized that she would have the opportunity to work directly beside the families that Habitat is impacting.
- Over nearly six years, Brittany has met many amazing people along the way, including meeting her best friend on the job site, Maria Flores. She now has the opportunity to work with her to help change their community every day.
“I feel very strongly about the extreme need for affordable housing, especially in Palm Beach County, and am excited to be working with such an amazing team that works tirelessly to fix this crisis. I love that we get to help so many amazing Habitat families, but I can’t wait to see the day that the need for affordable housing is so much less.”
A New Career Path
Though she originally came to Habitat of Humanity of SPBC as a volunteer, the skillset and insights Brittany learned on the home build sites helped her develop volunteer and event management skills. As a result, she plans to pursue a degree in nonprofit management to continue her career.
“HFHSPBC might be my career, but I have gained an amazing family along the way. Every person on our team is beyond incredible and deserves so much greatness.”
Do you want to join Brittany in making a difference in our community? Check out our volunteer opportunities and job opportunities.!
