When considering options for spring break plans, many people may find themselves debating between the beach, the cabin, or home for a week of rest. Volunteering isn't often an option that is considered. Even lower on the list is physical labor. What if I told you that there was an opportunity that incorporated both of these things that was incredibly rewarding and even desirable? That opportunity is working through the organization Habitat for Humanity building homes. After spending my spring break volunteering through Habitat and truly experiencing the wonderful work that this organization does, I compiled a list of reasons why everyone should take part in a Habitat for Humanity trip or service event.
1. Learning about affordable housing and its influence.
Habitat considers their homes to be not a "handout" but a "hand-up." Those who are provided with houses are given reduced mortgages and do not have to pay interest. Recipients also must spend time volunteering the Habitat either helping in the construction of their home or another's. They are also provided with educational programs that teach financial planning as well as basics of home owning and care. Habitat for Humanity's provision of affordable housing truly offers hope and a chance for success to people who wouldn't have had it without this organization.
2. Doing things that push you outside your comfort zone.
I don't know about you, but I don't frequently encounter power tools and styrofoam insulation in my daily routine. Habitat gives you the chance to learn new skills you wouldn't normally have the opportunity to learn and push yourself to do tasks that are outside your comfort zone.
3. Traveling.
Habitat for Humanity works all across the United States as well as in multiple countries internationally which provides the opportunity for volunteers to go as close to home or as far as they would like to provide service.
4. Becoming familiar with the community you are working in.
I was extremely intrigued to learn that as is the case in many places, Habitat for Humanity was responsible for a vast improvement in the community in which my team was building. The domino effect of reduced poverty and crime reduction that building affordable housing creates is astounding. Every local my group of volunteers encountered during our week was full of nothing but gratitude for the work we were doing.
5. Encountering and working with people who are passionate about what they do.
Contrary to many beliefs, volunteers are not just let lose on their own to fend for themselves during their time of service. During a build, I encountered many people who work for habitat and feel passionately about the work that it does. Between those that worked in the restore, linguistic coordinators, construction specialists, all the way to those who brought us our meals, every person was enthusiastic and passionate about their work.
6. Learning about Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity is an incredible organization that does so much for so many. Habitat works to not only create homes but works fundraising and advocating for affordable housing. It inspires hope, service, and kindness. The opportunities to serve through this organization are vast.
7. Building new friendships and community with the people you work with.
Nothing bonds people like pounding nails into a board for hours on end. The people who accompanied me on my trip started as a group of individuals I was volunteering with and ended as wonderful new friends. On top of the fact that we spent a significant amount of time together, the ability that we have to relate to our shared experience together creates a deep connection.
8. Time for reflection and intentional discussion.
This part varies from chapter to chapter, but the discussion that accompanied the work that we did was valuable and thought provoking. We discussed what it truly means to provide service, why we do what we do, and the definition of a home.
9. Providing service with tangible results.
Service of any form is amazing and incredibly rewarding, but sometimes when it is providing qualitative change, it's hard to truly feel the difference that you are making. Habitat provides the opportunity to see your work and hard efforts come to life stage by stage. Watching the structure grow from the foundation we built and eventually raising the walls we helped construct provided an indescribable feeling of accomplishment. We truly got to see our work come to life from the ground up.
10. Gaining skills and knowledge in an area, you wouldn't usually.
As a college student studying psychology, I don't have much interaction with construction or engineering of any kind. Being able to learn about what it takes to build and construct a house and all the work that goes into little things we don't even normally consider was not only intriguing but useful.
11. Having the opportunity to give someone not just a house, but a home.
Houses are more than just the nails, wood, and concrete that it takes to make them, and the recipients of Habitat homes would be the first to tell you that. Knowing that I provided someone with a place to grow, love, and prosper fills me with all the joy I need to continue to provide service through habitat.
