Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Home » Volunteer » Featured Volunteer » Marvin So

Marvin So

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself. What’s your day job? Besides work and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity East Bay, what other things do you do with your time?

I am originally from a sunny Southern California suburb called Chino Hills, and made the trek north to attend UC Berkeley, where I am currently an undergraduate studying Public Health. Outside of studying and volunteering with Habitat, I don't do much else - sadly! When I do get free time though, I love reading, listening to Frank Sinatra, sketching, and exploring everything the Bay Area has to offer - the myriad trails and nature preserves, hole-in-the-wall culinary gems, and rich spread of music venues, to say the very least!

2. How did you first get involved with Habitat East Bay?

I first became involved through Cal's own Habitat Chapter. After participating as a general member doing construction workdays at East Bay sites for a few semesters, I decided to apply to act as our chapter's Community Outreach and Advocacy Chair. I was looking to expand my involvement somehow, and couldn't have asked for a better role! Through it, I was able to work with my peers to create events catered towards Habitat families, in addition to planning Affordable Housing advocacy campaigns in the community. The position also required I get in touch with the Family Resources Committee and act as a direct liaison between them and Cal's chapter, and there I've been ever since.

3. What is your current role and level of involvement with us?

I am currently nearing the tail end of my term as Community Outreach and Advocacy Chair because I am studying abroad in a few months, so I must say that I'm feeling some Habitat withdrawals creeping in! Aside from working with both Cal Habitat's Community Outreach and Advocacy Committee in conjunction with the Habitat East Bay's FRC to plan events, I help out when I can with our Campus Chapter activities and try and make it out to a few construction workdays every now and then - they're a gripload of fun. When I return in the summer I definitely hope to continue my involvement.

4. What motivates you to continue with Habitat East Bay?

I've always been involved in Service since high school, but in college I was exposed to a lot of new ideas which made me question my intentions and the notion of charity. I realized then that I had never really thought about service from a social perspective, and that serving a community without reflecting upon potential improvements, shortcomings, sustainability, or awareness was only getting at the surface level. Habitat provided me with a way of understanding the necessity of long-term, more profound thinking when it comes to not only volunteerism, but social justice as a whole. When I lay hammers to a nail into a Habitat home, I am not just doing this out of a desire to give. I am driving that hammer in with the knowledge that this family will give their own time and energy to help their neighbors, that my fellow volunteers will work to build strong communities, and that we will all strive together to educate and advocate for adequate, safe, affordable housing for all people. It's a collective vision, one giant home, and I feel so grateful and inspired to be a part of this movement.

5. Why do you make volunteering for Habitat East Bay a priority?

I have become very passionate about everything this organization seeks to do both locally and at a more global scale. Intrinsically, there is something very alluring about Habitat's mission; I do think, though, that before one first gets involved, they have a lot of preconceived notions - myself included. As I peeled back the onion layers and truly began to get a feel for Habitat's guiding principles, the more I came to find tangible links safe housing has for nearly every social issue, from education, to poverty, and even healthcare - all things I find myself wanting to understand and hopefully improve. The threads made themselves evident and I found myself thinking, "This is what it means to find your passion." That's why I'm still here!

6. What have been your most memorable experiences?

My favorite experiences have simply been interacting with the kids from the Habitat homes. When I can go up to an old friend (them now being a foot taller than me) and check in on how school is going, what new skateboarding tricks they've learned, what they're thinking about for their future...it's honestly uplifting. When I see their inclinations towards professionals, doctors, scientists, and engineers, my only hope is that we can take part in facilitating that process and stoking that passion.

7. What are your future projects or goals at Habitat East Bay?

I plan on continuing my participation in workdays and FRC activities for as long as I am in the Bay Area. I really hope that my post-graduation prospects don't make me leave, but I also recognize that Habitat's presence is everywhere, and always could use some extra help. This is something I'm committed to for the long haul, wherever I may be.

8. How does the mission and philosophy of Habitat East Bay fit in your own life values?

I believe in that age-old saying that motivated individuals can truly make a difference in the world. As cheesy and/or naive as that may sound, I firmly believe that serving one's community - in whatever way it may be - is the key to fostering compassionate, grateful, and socially-conscious generations to come. Call it lofty, but I will always retain that ethic and that drive to make small, sustainable steps towards a brighter reality, and Habitat will too.

9. What is your favorite job on the committee?

Aside from being able to interact with the families and kids, I really enjoy participating and engaging with the Committee themselves during our monthly meetings. We are a diverse mix of occupations, backgrounds, cultures, and yet somehow we're all united by a common conception that this is important. I have taken a lot away from the committee by simply observing different management and leadership styles and the dedication put forth by the members. Not to mention, there's always food at the committee meetings - hopefully that's enough incentive for anyone reading this to come join!

10. What is it like working alongside the families?

It is really, really gratifying to be able to work alongside the families and develop an on-going relationship that goes beyond any singular day's events. Whether it be at the construction site or at an event, I can always see how gracious and appreciative they are. Working hand-in-hand provides a unique means for volunteers and homeowners to build a treasured investment together. I find this sense of equality and camaraderie one of Habitat's most powerful tenets.

Habitat for Humanity East Bay

Stay in Touch Online!

Habitat East Bay eNews

Marvin So

Past VIP Volunteers