Did you know that many of our Habitat Homeowners continue to support our organization as volunteers well after they have moved into their homes? As independent households Habitat homeowners choose to give back to the organization that helped support them.
Matt and Corrine who moved into their Habitat home over nine years ago continue to give back through their work. When Matt Arnold started working at Diamond Pacific two years ago, he didn’t realize that his job would have a Habitat connection.
Ian Nansen, Habitat Construction Program Coordinator works with Diamond Pacific, one of Habitat’s key material vendors. Ian was delighted to find Matt at the company. “Because he worked on the construction of his own home, Matt has a real understanding of our construction process. He helps us build more affordable homes through his profession,” says Ian. “When I contact Diamond Pacific, I always ask for Matt.”
Corrine, an employee of Grocery Outlet helps get our new households started on the right foot by shopping to help fill their pantries. For many years Grocery Outlet has been filling new Habitat homeowner pantries and Corrine has been helping to shop for new neighbors. When shopping Corrine personalizes each donation by considering the size of the household, the age of the children, and any restrictions. “This winter when Shawna and her kids moved into their home the children were ecstatic to see the goodies Corrine chose and could not wait to open the hot chocolate that was gifted by Grocery Outlet. These small moments add up and they are made possible by neighbors supporting neighbors. It was moving to see one homeowner helping another,” says Jennifer Cordova, NCHFH Development Director. On top of her support through Grocery Outlet Corrine is also a lead volunteer at Street of Dreams. “We cannot thank Corrine enough for her time, she knows exactly what she is doing. She comes back year after year and it helps us tremendously,” says Lisa Hooper, NCHFH bookkeeper.