By: Zion Powell
My volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity is my most significant activity. It is significant because it allows me to sew into the lives of others. Volunteering with this organization is selfless work. It is a public service initiative that is necessary in our society. I’m rewarded by being able to give back and pay it forward through sweat equity to see that others are blessed.
A portion of the name of this organization accurately describes why my involvement is so important. It’s my humanity to want others to have decent and affordable housing. Families in low-income underserved communities can live in affordable housing made possible by the donation of goods & services from Habitat for Humanity’s members and donors. The helping hands of people from different ethnicities; backgrounds and ages with varying skill sets make it all happen, but the one common thread is that the volunteer work is done by people that want to help make dreams come true one family at a time–one home at a time for families in need. Communities that have been served by the efforts of this organization will never be the same, and I’m very honored to be a part of this endeavor.
My commitment to public service and involvement with this organization has allowed me to connect with others and build relationships in a short span of time. Habitat members are a family and work as a team. Due to age restrictions, I’m only allowed to do light construction. Thus, I’ve enjoyed working alongside other Habitat volunteers and staff at homesites moving debris, leveling dirt to prepare for landscaping and small painting tasks. I’ve enjoyed participating in community events: “Rock the Block”–a community effort where teams walk the neighborhoods picking up trash, plant flowers and trees in efforts to rehabilitate the community.
In addition, I’ve supported fundraising events i.e., “Golf for Good”–community golf tournament where I’ve worked the registration desk, and “Builder’s Dash” 5K Race/Walk–where I’ve assisted with equipment setup and directed participants to designated parking areas. Once a month, I volunteer at ReStore (Habitat’s warehouse) where we receive donations of furniture and other household items to prepare for resale to the community.
Whether I’m assisting in efforts to build affordable homes for deserving families; cleaning community streets, supporting fundraising events, volunteering in Habitat’s warehouse or connecting with community leaders and “friends of Habitat”, my focus on public service initiatives has been significant and rewarding.
In closing, as I leave for college next year to pursue an education in atmospheric science and fulfill a lifelong dream of a career in meteorology, it is my goal to continue expanding my leadership role within the Habitat for Humanity organization, getting involved in community projects within my chosen career path and inspire others to be thinkers and change-makers in their local community.
