One of the things that makes Habitat for Humanity unique among home builders is our reliance on volunteers. Often people unfamiliar with Habitat will ask us how we are able to build such simple, but high-quality homes with unskilled, volunteer labor.
And the answer to that question is also pretty simple.
We would rather build with an unskilled volunteer who wants to be out with us, making a difference in their community, than a paid, skilled worker who is there simply for a paycheck. We find that not only is the quality of the work often higher, but they also are more willing to listen and follow our Habitat way of building, which often goes beyond code, not cutting any corners and leading to greater energy efficiency.
Of course our volunteers also play a key role in our ability to keep our homes affordable by helping us keep our costs down, allowing us to subsidize a higher percentage of the sales price, and allowing for a more reasonable monthly mortgage for the homeowner.
So why am I bringing this up now? After all, Volunteer Appreciation Month was in April.
Because as we head into summer, I think it’s important to highlight how much we love our volunteers, how necessary they are to our mission, and how much we need YOU right now!
Every summer, as temperatures rise and people head out on vacation, we see a predictable and understandable slowdown in volunteer turnout. Of course we don’t want to interfere with folks’ all-important family time. After all, we will take some of that ourselves! And we understand that being out in the heat on ladders and swinging hammers isn’t for everyone.
But if you are able, I want to encourage you to join us this summer, even if it’s just for one morning and just for one shift.
The fact of the matter is, our two-story homes are taking longer than we anticipated and we are behind our target construction schedule goal. Of course we anticipate being able to catch up, but it’s going to take your help. So consider this your official ask!
Please come and volunteer this summer on Habitat Goldsboro-Wayne’s McNair Heights Neighborhood.
Then if you find you enjoy it, come again! You are always welcome and we will even hold the door open for you!
But just in case our request isn’t enough. Let me leave you with this one last inducement.
When you volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, you are part of making a lasting, generational impact for a family. You are part of helping a family build a new foundation of strength and stability on which they are going to build a better future for themselves.
And when you get done at the end of your shift, you will be able to step back and see the fruits of your labors, knowing that you have played a part in making an American dream come true for one of your neighbors. Even better, when you drive by that home in one, two or five years, you will see that family living their life and you will know that you helped make that possible – that you helped to open that door (perhaps even literally).
So if you’re interested, just fill out your volunteer waiver, sign up online, and come join us. Have questions? Email volunteer@habitatgoldsboro.org.
