BUILDING
HUMANITY
OUR MISSION
OUR VISION
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Building Families. Building Communities. Building Friendships.
Building Humanity’s mission is to provide varying forms of assistance to communities in need by providing safe places for living and learning, to help break the cycle of poverty around the world. Assistance may come in the form of building projects, volunteers, supplies, monetary assistance, or any other form of help a community may need.
Building Families. Building Communities. Building Friendships.
Building Humanity’s mission is to provide varying forms of assistance to communities in need by providing safe places for living and learning, to help break the cycle of poverty around the world. Assistance may come in the form of building projects, volunteers, supplies, monetary assistance, or any other form of help a community may need.
Building Humanity envisions self-sustaining communities whose members not only survive but thrive individually and collectively.
Building Humanity was conceived in 2008 when Erin Colshan was interning on an archaeological dig in Porolissum-Moigrad, Romania. There was a lot of support coming into the community during the summer with the international students, but once the students left, support stopped. The local museum director and lead archaeologist, Alexandru Matei, who became a dear friend and mentor, encouraged Erin to find a way to continue helping the community after students left. With this challenge in mind, Erin went home and together with her mother, Stephanie, took the steps to create a nonprofit. Initially donations were coming from past students who had worked in the area, and our main focus was helping the community in Moigrad. But soon, Building Humanity was being contacted about other communities and families in Transylvania needing assistance. Eventually the focus became the Caminul Felix orphanage in Oradea, which needed help with construction projects. That is when Building Humanity began to shift into what it is today. With her training as an architect, Erin realized that she could utilize her education and experience in architecture to help communities who might not have access to these services. Erin discovered a huge interest to lend professional experience pro bono, and Building Humanity began to tap into that desire. By reaching out to contacts made throughout her travels, Erin asked about communities in need of help, and calls have come in from every corner of the world; Romania, Thailand, Peru, Ghana, Madagascar, Tanzania, and more.
​
Now Building Humanity needs you to help us continue our mission and support the many communities looking for help to complete their building projects.
​
OUR TEAM
Erin Colshan
CEO & PRESIDENT
Erin Colshan, AIA, LEED GA is a Sustainability Specialist and Architect with experience in developing all aspects of project deliverables, including conceptual design, design development and construction documents. Erin is passionate about sustainability and has experience in facilitating LEED certification for various project types. She is a LEED GA, Envision Sustainability Professional, Fitwel Ambassador, ActiveScore AP and Guiding Principles Compliance Professional. Erin has worked on a wide range on projects including Education, Entertainment, Leisure, Justice, Civic, DOD, and Medical/Healthcare. In 2018 Erin spent 9 months working with FEMA as a Trainer and leading the Grants Manager/Grants Portal Hotline for the Hurricane Harvey Disaster Recovery.
Michael Morrell, AIA, DBIA, LEED AP is the Assistant Director of Project Management for Design & Construction Services at the University of California, Irvine. Currently overseeing all major academic building projects, he leads the department’s project management efforts for the campus delivering highly complex projects via design build. In his more than nine-year tenure at UCI,
Michael has overseen several project types including research facilities, laboratories, active learning classrooms, dormitories, and highly technical projects. As a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, he has worked in the private sector as an Architect prior to joining UCI. Michael is accustomed to working with complex projects and multiple user groups and the departments work has been recognized with several awards and recognitions. With sustainability as a priority, many projects have achieved LEED Platinum certification.
Michael Morrell
PROJECT MANAGER
Justine Leung
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER/
PHOTOGRAPHER
Justine is a Vancouver, Canada based photographer and journalist specializing in brand management, content creation and marketing. She is an experienced Marketing and Design Manager with a demonstrated history of social media and traditional media success. Skilled in project management, brand growth and content creation.