Ben Powers, a senior Creighton University student studying English on a pre-law track, first volunteered with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha during his freshman year. As a former Boy Scout who earned his Eagle Scout rank, Ben was already interested in service projects, especially those related to building.

Much of his experience with Habitat Omaha has been through Alpha Phi Omega – Kappa Chi, a service fraternity of which he is an executive member.

“Throughout my build sites, I’ve performed a variety of different tasks, but mostly focused on framing and siding,” he said. “Sometimes, I will spend the whole build day siding a single wall. Other times, though, the volunteer coordinators are welcoming enough to give me a variety of tasks, from measuring beams to lifting beams to installing closet backing. Overall, I appreciate how trusting the site builders are with assigning new tasks.”

Ben credits supervisors like Jake Koster and Grant Hummer for creating an environment where volunteers feel challenged and valued. Their approachable nature and willingness to share knowledge transform the build sites into places of camaraderie and growth.

“Honestly, and it sounds cliché – these supervisors always make build sites a much more dynamic and interesting place than it traditionally would feel,” Ben said. “Plus, the free conversation between supervisors and volunteers breaks down barriers and boosts the overall experience. To me, this rapport should snowball into more volunteers – if I bring my friends along and we have a great time at a build site, they’ll likely tell their friends.”

Through his time with Habitat, Ben has developed practical skills and gained a greater appreciation for the importance of community and service. The work has deepened his empathy for those facing housing insecurity, making the long days on the build site feel even more meaningful.

“To me, the opportunity to help families reinforces that even as such a seemingly divided nation, we’re still able to help support our communities at such a grassroots level,” he said. “I think it’s often lost on people just how large of an impact they can make in their local communities if they’re willing to give their time.”

Ben encourages others to volunteer with Habitat Omaha for the sake of the community and to combat the current housing crisis.

“With housing costs rising, a more affordable housing market and the chance for families to subvert the market is always something I can get behind,” he said. “Habitat’s involved housing development projects, such as Bluestem Prairie, give me hope that we community members have the power to lift each other instead of pushing each other down in such a drastic market.”

To Ben, the actual value of Habitat Omaha lies in its unseen impact — knowing that each house built helps a family achieve stability, even if he never meets them.

“It’s not always about the immediate results. It’s about knowing your efforts are part of something bigger,” he said. “To me, that’s priceless.”