February Volunteer in the Spotlight

York Habitat for Humanity is delighted to present Karen Strine as our February Volunteer Spotlight! We are so grateful for Karen’s support and passion for our mission. Karen’s spotlight is longer than we typically share because we believe her story illustrates beautifully the impact volunteers have on the families we serve and the blessing it is to each who partner! Thank you Karen! 
We invite you to read about Karen’s journey with us in her own words: 
I am honored that York Habitat for Humanity chose me for the February 2019 Volunteer Spotlight. I am enthusiastic about the core mission of Habitat for Humanity. Our basic human needs are food, clothing, and shelter. Habitat meets these needs through their affordable homeownership program. When a family can afford their housing they can meet the other needs in their life! 
I began volunteering at York Habitat for Humanity ten years ago. My husband and I had actually volunteered twice before that, working on a home in the City of York.  
After those experiences, I knew that I wanted to give back in a bigger way. I learned more and believe wholeheartedly in Habitat’s mission of a “hand up, not a handout.” There’s a common misconception that homeowners are given houses for free. Families that partner with Habitat earn their home and pay an affordable, zero interest, mortgage. In order to purchase a Habitat home an applicant must complete 225 hours of sweat equity per adult, attend financial literacy classes, and remain in good financial standings throughout the program. I love that Habitat homes don’t just affect one generation of homeowners, but many who get safe and affordable housing. Neighborhoods are improved and the educational and health outcomes of Habitat families are significantly impacted in a positive way.
Habitat for Humanity was founded on Christian based principles and those principles motivate what they do and why they do it. However, they’ve always partnered with organizations and had volunteers of various religions as well as no faith or religious affiliation. They build homes for those who qualify, because they know everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity is the kind of organization that brings together a diverse community allowing us to learn from one another.
Ten years ago this month, I went to a meeting to learn about Habitat’s second Women Build home project. I agreed to be the Volunteer Coordinator and after a month, I was asked to step up to be the Project Manager. I was apprehensive at first because wasn’t sure that I had the skills necessary to complete the job. I was able to successfully lead the project with the support of York Habitat staff and the numerous women working on the committee 
I’ve held various volunteer roles with York Habitat for Humanity, ranging from construction site volunteer, Women Build Project Manager, Veterans Build Event Co-Chair and many other events.
One event that stands out is the Women Build of 2009. One of my close friends, Sheila, stepped up to take the Volunteer Coordinator job, which required a fair amount of work. She was working part-time but was able to accomplish her job well. I asked many of my friends to help on the Women Build committees and they did. I made new friends and after 8 months of planning, fundraising, and building we turned over the house to a disabled woman who called us her angels. The Women Build house of 2009 was built 85% by women, including a female roofer and electrician.
The previous Project Leader for 2006 Women Build mentored me and asked me to help with an upcoming fundraiser for Habitat’s general operating expenses. My friend and co-chair, Lisa and I joined them a few days after we turned over the keys to our homeowner. We learned so much from a seasoned group of women. People say that you get so much more than you give when you volunteer and I couldn’t agree more. 
It was more than a joy to work with such a diverse group of women on a common goal. I also gained confidence in my abilities as a leader and that, too, has been gratifying. Most gratifying is going to home dedications when the keys are given to the homeowners. 
That experience led to me chairing and co-chairing three more events for York Habitat for Humanity. I learned so much and was gratified at the end of each event from the support and the knowledge of how someone would directly benefit from our efforts. The most recent event was the Veterans Build in Manchester. We were able to raise over seventy thousand dollars to help support a local Veteran and his family! The home is occupied and the life of the family is forever changed! 
My husband and I continue to support Habitat and believe in their mission and in gratitude to God. I am no longer chairing big events but remain involved with the organization. Over the past four years York Habitat has strengthened and improved every aspect of the organization to be able to do more in our community. They are scheduled to break ground on a fourteen new home build in the City of York. The capable office staff are great to work with and are passionate about the mission. They also need a new generation of volunteers to help with all of the exciting things to come to continue their mission and not just in construction. I still love doing that periodically too. 
The director, Tammi Morris, is highly dedicated and inspirational in her support of volunteers. I’d like to thank her and the dedicated office staff as they often put in irregular and long hours at to ensure the mission forges ahead. 
York Habitat will be opening a ReStore in the Fall of 2019 to help support the mission, reduce landfill waste, create paid and volunteer job opportunities, and build more homes. I plan to offer support of that effort and I am asking that others do too. The Restore will accept donations of gently used household items (no clothing). I’m happy that the community will be able to support their mission there, too. Habitat’s mission of safe, decent, and affordable housing is important and the Habitat model has been successful since 1976. As author Stephen Richards once said, “When you reach out to those in need, do not be surprised if the essential meaning of something occurs.”

Volunteer Today!