Each year, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha depends on paid interns to assist in its efforts to build and rehabilitate affordable housing for families in Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Burt and Saunders counties in Nebraska.

This year’s crop of five construction interns and one family services intern represent five colleges and universities, including the University of Colorado, Creighton University, Kansas State University, Metropolitan Community College and the University of Nebraska Omaha.

All of them share a quest for professional knowledge and to serve families through Habitat’s vision, A world where everyone has a quality, safe and healthy place to live.

Here is what they have to say about their Habitat Omaha internship:

“I was an engineer and wanted more hands-on construction experience. Plus, I admire Habitat for Humanity’s mission.” – Nata Ward

“This internship has already bettered my future. I have yet to step foot into the industry until this opportunity came along. The knowledge I hope to retain from this internship will progress me through life and in my next career, which I hope is with Habitat for Humanity!” – Julian Jimenez

“I wanted to intern at Habitat because I wanted to better my construction knowledge and work for a company that is doing so much good for the local community.” – Grace Mally

“I wanted to intern at Habitat because I was looking for a change of pace from my previous line of work and a chance to work with others towards a very worthwhile goal . . . affordable housing and equality in the ownership of homes. This internship and these experiences have helped me begin to build a whole new skill set that I look forward to building and using to help improve our communities.” – Sam Malone

Pictured: Kaitlin McKenna

“I wanted to intern at Habitat for Humanity this summer because of the mission, goals and core values of the organization. I am interested in working for a nonprofit or the government after I graduate from law school. I have already learned so much through working on the Transfer on Death Deed clinic . . . the value of homeownership, and how it can lead to generational wealth for future generations.” – Kaitlin McKenna

Pictured: Nate Meier

“I wanted to intern at Habitat for Humanity to learn skills to build and fix more things around the house and to work for a company with a mission I support. Through the internship, I have learned teamwork lessons, how to put trimming in the interior of a house and it is helping me become a more ‘handy’ person.” – Nate Meier

Interested in getting involved with Habitat Omaha? Click the link below.