July 24, 2025
Guest Post: Faith in Our Work
By Maggie Nelson
At Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity, our mission is to build stability, opportunity, and hope through homeownership, resilient neighborhoods, and community collaboration. For me, this work is more than just a job; it’s deeply connected to my faith and the path that led me to be the Neighborhood Impact Intern in Waterloo this summer.
I grew up in Emmetsburg, Iowa, a small town where I attended Catholic school through eighth grade and continued my faith journey through religious education during high school. Faith was always present in my life, but when I entered college at the University of Northern Iowa, I knew I wanted to grow in a more intentional way.
I started attending Sunday Mass and small group Bible studies, gradually immersing myself more in the community. I found purpose and belonging at St. Stephen the Witness Catholic Student Center and eventually became a student leader, helping others deepen their faith as well. It was during this time that I realized I wanted my life, and my future work, to be rooted in service and guided by faith.
That realization prompted a major shift for me, literally. I changed my academic path during my junior year, switching from Interior Design to Recreation, Tourism, and Nonprofit Leadership, with a certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. I also shifted roles at the student center, moving from Marketing & Outreach to a focus on Service & Justice. It was a turning point. I wanted more than just planning events; I wanted to connect directly with people and walk alongside them in meaningful ways.
One of the most formative experiences during this time was organizing a Lenten Almsgiving donation drive and volunteer visit to House of Hope in Waterloo. Even though only a few people were able to volunteer with me, the support we received through donations, and a campus clothing swap was inspiring. The clothing swap consisted of students bringing in clothes that they no longer wanted and had the opportunity to “shop” and take home any clothes that they liked. After the event, we had a large tub of clothing leftover that we decided to donate to House of Hope as a part of our Lenten Almsgiving project. The photo pictured above (picturing Danny Mulherin, me, and Lindsey Hoogland) is when we were dropping off our donations collected during the project as well as the tub of clothing. That experience, along with volunteering at Queen of Peace Catholic Church’s meal program, opened my eyes to the critical need for stable housing and basic necessities. It stirred a deep passion in me, not just for service, but specifically for helping others access safe and affordable homes.
In the fall of 2024, I volunteered for a build day with Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity. I felt something click. My background in design, my evolving academic focus, and my faith all seemed to intersect in that one experience. I started wondering if there might be a future for me in work like this, so I checked the website. There weren’t any internships listed, but I decided to reach out anyway.
That step of faith led to a meeting with two staff members, Ali and Carrie, and eventually to the opportunity to intern with the affiliate. Since then, I’ve continued to learn and grow in ways I didn’t expect.
Habitat has shown me that faith can be integrated into any kind of work, not just through big gestures, but through daily actions, conversations, and community. We pray together, reflect on scripture, and support one another not just as coworkers, but as people on a shared mission.
Today, in my role working within neighborhoods, I have the opportunity to walk and pray with residents, build relationships, and grow in community. It’s work that challenges me, grounds me, and brings me closer to the kind of life I’ve always hoped to live, one centered in service, faith, and love for your neighbor.
Pictured below: Jenna Petersen and I hosted a lemonade stand in Church Row Neighborhood and promoted the ongoing survey project. If you are a resident and interested in taking the survey, please sign up by emailing neighborhoodsurvey2025@gmail.com or filling out this Google Form!
Maggie, it’s been a pleasure getting to know you and this post helps me and encourages me to continue working towards the goals set for Church Row Historic Neighborhood.
Thanks for your volunteering and for your faithfulness.