While this year has presented many challenges, an enduring factor at Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County is the astounding teamwork that contributes to furthering the mission of Habitat. Last year, I had the opportunity to work on the construction site of Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County through my service with AmeriCorps NCCC. A few months ago, I started to work more in a capacity-building role through volunteer coordination in the ReStore as an AmeriCorps VISTA member. This dual experience has shown me how extensive the network of people is that are committed to fighting housing insecurity. Getting a family moved into an affordable home requires many different facets to cohesively come together, from accounting to volunteers, to family services, to the construction staff. This affiliate works together in a way such that the office feels more like a family unit than just a place to go to work. It’s incredibly inspiring to see so many people working so passionately for a mission they believe in, and this is readily apparent in our volunteers, staff, and partner families.

Teamwork is essential to Habitat, more so at an organization like this than many others, because of our ideology of ‘A hand up, not a handout’. These houses aren’t just given away, partner families work extremely hard from the first process of applying for a home to when they’re handed the keys, to when they get to burn their mortgage. It’s so fulfilling to be a part of an organization that can be a part of a family’s journey into homeownership. I’ve had the privilege to interact with a few individuals working through the program during ReStore volunteer orientations and what stuck with me the most is their determination to get their hours. Through the efforts of this affiliate and the teamwork of all involved on the construction site and behind the scenes, I feel like Habitat for Humanity is really putting a dent into housing insecurity in Forsyth County, and I’m so excited to continue working with this organization and seeing its impact in the community.

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County hosts a variety of AmeriCorps members from their National, NCCC, and VISTA programs each year. These members make a 10 month to one-year commitment to serve alongside non-profits and community organizations to strengthen our community and those across the nation. To see open opportunities to serve with Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County as an AmeriCorps member check our Employment page regularly. 

To learn more about AmeriCorps and what program might be a good fit for you visit their Fit Finder page.