From the Desk of Hazzem Koudsi, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings.
Volunteerism is a lifeline to every charity and not-for-profit in our communities. Through addressing the social and / or financial gaps that exist for families and individuals, these organizations help individuals feel valued which in turn leads to contributing back into their community in a positive manner. Volunteerism gives opportunity to pair those that need a hand up with those that can offer one. That’s what Habitat for Humanity is all about, helping those that need a hand up gain stability and independence thanks to the support of volunteers with their time and effort, making the community around them stronger.
When volunteering with Habitat for Humanity folks contribute their skills and personal resources to give strength to marginalized groups. They can help with education, such as financial literacy, to enrich families in a variety of avenues. From teaching families how to better manage their money to gain financial strength in the future, to being hands on with repairs or at a build site to help solve the homeownership crisis, or even volunteering on the Board of Directors to support our strategic direction – our collective efforts help house families by giving them strength to build resilience and manage future adversity.
It’s natural to ask the question “What’s in it for me?” One of the expressions I like from The Rotary Club is “Service Above Self”. Volunteerism transcends the physical act of giving. An item can be simple for some to part with, furniture, construction material, or cash – these pieces are extremely critical to the running of their programs, but people are a valuable resource that is often overlooked. Volunteering takes the act of giving to new heights in terms of personal fulfillment. Through volunteerism, we can feel that sense of compassion and deeper understanding of the challenges being faced by families in our community. By being the helping hand to these families, we feel firsthand their joy when overcoming struggles they are managing. The smile on their faces alone can be overwhelming and addictive. We can’t underscore the importance of this experience, and the personal growth and development that occurs from helping others. This act of giving helps with our own mental wellbeing through the sense of satisfaction that comes from knowing you have made a difference. Being interconnected to our community can be profound and give us a feeling of purpose which is extremely rewarding.
I know that when we hold our Key Ceremony (where we hand the keys to a home to a deserving family), our volunteers come out in full force to witness the infectious happiness of finally achieving homeownership and a sense of belonging in their community. It is an opportunity for a brighter future for these families, and it’s not uncommon for some volunteers to shed tears of joy seeing their efforts culminate in making a difference. Come out and see what I mean by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward-Hastings and experiencing this joy for yourself.
