Today, our #MondayMemberSpotlight is featuring Lindsay Richter. Lindsay is serving a 6-month term as a construction AmeriCorps member with Greater Des Moines Habitat for Humanity.
When asked what inspired her to serve, Lindsay shared
“I am very passionate about contributing to efforts that ensure all humans access to the 5 basic human needs: food, water, shelter, clothing, and health (and also education). Habitat for Humanity, through helping to provide sufficient housing to low-income families and individuals, provides shelter to those who may be shunned or adversely affected by the systems in place for housing. I trust in AmeriCorps placing volunteers where they are needed, so I applied to Habitat specifically once I saw them as an affiliate of AmeriCorps.”
If you are interested in current open positions, Habitat Iowa is seeking Fall 2022 AmeriCorps members just like Lindsay across the state. www.iowahabitat.org/apply-americorps
What inspired you to serve? I am very passionate about contributing to efforts that ensure all humans access to the 5 basic human needs: food, water, shelter, clothing, and health (and also education). Habitat for Humanity, through helping to provide sufficient housing to low-income families and individuals, provides shelter to those who may be shunned or adversely affected by the systems in place for housing. I trust in AmeriCorps placing volunteers where they are needed, so I applied to Habitat specifically once I saw them as an affiliate of AmeriCorps.
What do you enjoy most about serving?
I definitely enjoy getting to interact with the communities we are building and repairing houses for. I love hands-on work that has immediate visible results, and I also like to learn alongside others . The program itself makes room for volunteers and workers that may not have construction experience, and, even from ground zero, teaches them valuable skills to affect change.
What does your typical day look like?
I get to GDM Habitat at 7:30 in the morning and help plan/load our trucks and trailers for Rock the Block depending on the projects we are hoping to get done during the day. After speaking with friends and colleagues on the way in, I ride in one of the trucks to the site to assist the construction managers in measuring, digging holes, cutting and preparing wood, deconstructing and installing windows, and a plethora of other things that come our way. Our team does a lot of problem-solving and meets with homeowners at the beginning and end of the day. Once we break for lunch, I will often play cards with some other teams at the office before we go out again to finish our projects. By the end of the day, around 3:30, we load up our materials and come back to meet with our supervisor to discuss the day and plans for the rest of the week.
What do you like most about your Habitat for Humanity?
I really love that GDM Habitat is full of personable, welcoming people. I have been on a quest to get to know everyone in the office, the Restore, and on-site. It seems like there is very good communication in between the several programs going on there. People seem to know each other, and to retain information about their colleague's lives and interests. I have felt very at-home, and have been invited to many new things, despite my being new!
What is one thing you learned in the last month?
I learned how to handle power tools! This has always been a feat for me, since I have been very scared of cutting my fingers and accidentally forgetting to flip a switch. I am a triple-checker, though, and now feel very confident sawing wood, drilling holes, and making quick, accurate measurements.
