Serving communities with hearts, hands and hammers
They came by cars, trucks and busses, nearly 370 volunteers ready to repair homes for families in Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Scott Walters, regents professor for population and community health at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth’s College of Public Health, was one of the group leaders on this mission organized by Southlake’s White’s Chapel Methodist Church.
Working with faith-based and charitable organizations in our local communities and beyond is an important part of the College of Public Health’s mission. The college’s strategic plan – IMPACT 2030: Commitment to Community – is rooted in collaboration, impact and the goal of creating healthier communities. CPH’s research, professional services and volunteerism are responsive and relevant to the needs of communities.
So when the call came from White’s Chapel that an Arkansas-based charity had more requests for community assistance than it could handle alone, volunteers were recruited for a week-long summer trip – and 250 local high school students, along with adults with a construction background, and parents who wanted to help in other ways, were ready to pack their bags and go.
Some leaders arrived early to assess the homes, devise a plan for repairs, and develop a materials list and order of operations, so they would be ready to teach students when the busses pulled up. For the students – including Walters’ 15-year-old-son Will – it was both a learning and bonding experience. The groups did the work in hot, sweaty conditions, building wheelchair ramps, installing siding on houses, repairing and painting fencing, and even demolishing and rebuilding decks that had been unusable before. Some groups rebuilt steps, and others installed roofing shingles. When there was extra time, the kids helped with lawn work and other projects. Overall, 21 groups worked on 20 different sites.
Dr. Walters’ team replaced a fence for Marie, a Little Rock homeowner who applied for home repair assistance through her church. The team also built a porch handrail, so Marie’s 75-year-old mother and 90-year-old grandmother would have an easier way to get up the steps. Marie lives alone and finds it hard to get these types of repairs done on her own.
“It was so good to see these volunteers put themselves in someone else’s shoes and to experience communities coming together like this,” she said.
Dr. Shafik Dharamsi, CPH dean, noted that one way HSC is committed through its Whole Health initiative is by helping to create healthier surroundings for individuals and families at work and at home. The CPH follows the U.S. Healthy People 2030 plan and the United Nations Sustainable Development goals, aimed at achieving a more equitable, resilient and sustainable world.
“Stable, safe and supportive housing is a crucial determinant of health in our society. Through partnerships with non-profit organizations and agencies, our College of Public Health faculty, staff and student volunteers help improve the health and well-being of local and regional communities,” he said.
“This service mission is a great example of how CPH members extend their impact beyond academic work at HSC, volunteering their time as engaged citizens and neighbors to address community needs.”
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