On Thursday, September 25, Spirit Cultural Exchange staff traded in laptops for hard hats during a volunteer day with Habitat for Humanity in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood. Fourteen team members from across all departments – joined by Vice President of Account Services & Operations, Michelle Chapman-Rienstra, and Director of Professional Programs, Suzanne Kolasa – came together to lend their time, energy, and enthusiasm to help build homes for local families.
The Spirit Cultural Exchange team was assigned to three new home builds in the neighborhood. The work was no small task: hammering, using saws, installing trusses on the top of a house, wrapping homes with anti-moisture material, and leveling windows. While most of us aren’t seasoned builders, the Habitat staff provided expert guidance every step of the way.
By the end of the day, our team had finished adding trusses to one of the houses and began wrapping the last home in anti-moisture material. These may sound like small steps, but they’re crucial milestones in bringing new homes to life for Chicago families.
“Team Spirit” in Action
One of the most rewarding parts of the day wasn’t just the progress on the houses, it was the camaraderie among the Spirit Cultural Exchange team. Habitat staff repeatedly complimented our group on how well we worked together, how much fun we had, and how willing we were to jump into new tasks.
As Gloria Quinones-Garcia, who coordinated the event for Spirit Cultural Exchange, put it: “It was heavy duty work and Spirit staff was all in!”
Even when the tasks were unfamiliar, our team gave it their best. That flexibility and positive energy mirrored the very values we strive to bring into our work every day: collaboration, adaptability, and a “spirit” of service.
Why We Volunteer
Community service has long been part of Spirit Cultural Exchange’s identity. Each year, our staff participates in projects that give back to our community and reflect our organizational values. Earlier this year, we spent a day volunteering at the Greater Chicago Food Depository.
Partnering with Habitat for Humanity offered another opportunity to live out those values while making a tangible impact. Habitat’s mission – to provide safe, affordable housing to families – is one we’re proud to support, even if only for a day of hands-on help.
The Impact
Though we didn’t have the chance to meet the future homeowners, knowing that our efforts contributed to building homes that will soon be filled with life, laughter, and opportunity was deeply meaningful. It’s a reminder that even a single day of teamwork can make a difference when combined with the efforts of so many dedicated Habitat staff, volunteers, and community members.
We encourage other organizations to get involved with Habitat or similar community-focused projects. It’s not only rewarding, but also an excellent way to build stronger bonds within your team.
We left the Austin neighborhood with sore muscles, some new construction skills, and a renewed sense of the impact we can have when we work together. Most importantly, we left knowing that the “spirit” of service extends far beyond cultural exchange. It’s also about investing in the communities we call home.