My Davidson | A Student Blog From House to House: A Story of Finding Community

Caira Murray ’28 shares how her internship with the Davidson Housing Coalition through Davidson College's William F. and Betty G. Mulliss Center for Civic Engagement deepened her passion for civic engagement.

The night before I left Atlanta for my summer internship, I sat in the dining room with my mom watching the sun disappear below the trees. As excited as I was, I couldn't shake the questions running through my mind. Would I be able to meet the expectations of the role? What would the office culture be like? How do you even act like an intern? Most of all, I wondered whether working in the nonprofit sector would strengthen or challenge my passion for affordable housing.

Those questions began to disappear during my very first week at Davidson Housing Coalition (DHC). My first day coincided with DHC's annual Block Party, where I spent the afternoon walking the neighborhood, meeting residents and witnessing the organization's mission firsthand. I quickly realized that DHC is about far more than providing affordable housing. It creates a community where neighbors know one another, where dignity comes first and where people have the opportunity to put down roots in a town that has become increasingly difficult to afford. Seeing those relationships transformed the way I understood what affordable housing truly means.

Throughout the past eight weeks, I had the opportunity to contribute to projects that supported DHC's mission while developing skills I will carry into my future career. From writing press releases and managing social media campaigns to creating marketing materials and helping tell the stories behind DHC's work, I learned that effective communication is essential to nonprofit success. One of my biggest misconceptions was that nonprofits simply react to problems as they arise. Instead, I discovered that every day requires creativity, adaptability and strategic thinking. I watched a small team of dedicated staff members juggle fundraising, resident concerns, community partnerships and countless unexpected challenges with remarkable determination.

Sitting in the Sloan Street office, surrounded by three women committed to making Davidson a more welcoming and equitable community, showed me that meaningful change doesn't require a large organization. It requires passionate people who refuse to give up. As my confidence grew, I stopped worrying about whether I was "acting like an intern" and started focusing on how I could contribute. I was encouraged to share ideas, build new connections and take ownership of projects in ways I never expected.

This internship reshaped my understanding of both the nonprofit sector and my own career aspirations. I learned that nonprofits are often asked to solve complex problems with limited resources, but their greatest strength lies in the relationships they build and the trust they earn within their communities. If I could offer one piece of advice to future interns, it would be to stay curious and say yes to opportunities outside your job description. Some of the most valuable lessons come from conversations, community events and simply observing how dedicated people work together to serve others.

Davidson Housing Coalition reminded me that everyone has something valuable to contribute to their community. Whether you volunteer your time, share your talents, or support a fundraising campaign, your involvement can make a lasting difference.