Friday, August 3, 2012
August 3, 2012, Final Day At Habitat
Today is my last day at Habitat for Humanity. Reflecting on my internship, I am amazed at all of the wonderful memories I have made! In eight weeks, I had the opportunity to experience everything from helping to build a house to going through the process of assessing property that may become a future Habitat subdivision!
I love interning here at Habitat Pinellas because every day is inspiring. My life goal is to work to improve the lives of others around me, and I’m lucky to be part of an organization that works towards that goal every day. All employees here truly enjoy what they do and believe in the mission of this nonprofit. Every day I am in awe of the passion of the workers here. Whenever I hear long-term volunteers or employees talking about each other, I hear them gush about the times when they helped each other and stories about each person’s accomplishments. The inspiration does not end with the Habitat staff. It extends to the stories of the homeowners that we have. Each Habitat family is so deserving of their house and it’s inspiring to hear of the challenges they have overcome to become homeowners.
My internship has also been particularly rewarding. I get to work with so many like-minded people and help make dreams come true! I get pushed out of my comfort zone and get to hone my construction skills, which will undoubtedly come in handy in the future! I have gained such a wide range of new skills that I would not have had exposure to if I was interning elsewhere. This experience has truly been life changing for me!
Director of Development Steve Lightburn once told me that you usually can effectively help out up to three nonprofits with the time that you have. In the future, Habitat for Humanity will certainly be one of my three! Although leaving the office today will be bittersweet, it will certainly not be the end of my involvement with Habitat, but the beginning.
If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
July 23rd, 2012, Week in D.C.
As part of my Bank of America Student Leaders internship program, I spent one week in Washington D.C. in a program called Close Up. Close Up is a nonprofit organization with a mission statement of: “Close Up informs, inspires, and empowers students to exercise the rights and accept the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.” The program is quite successful in meeting its goals. I certainly have been inspired to get more involved in my community. I realized that in order to wait for a change, I should be the force of the change. In high school, I actively competed in the Congress debate event in both the Catholic Forensic League and the National Forensic League. Student Congress debate encouraged me to keep up with current events and policy issues, but it discouraged me from forming opinions since competitors who could speak on both sides of a bill or resolution would win. This lack of opinion coupled by my perception of the very strong partisan politics of Washington led me to develop a cynical view of politics. Through my experience with Close Up, I became more optimistic about politics and better understood the political rights that I have.
The week in D.C. was one of the most memorable trips I have been on, and it was jam packed with activities. Every morning, I attended optional workout sessions which sometimes started at 5:45 am. Throughout the day, there was no break. The experience was comprised of a constant stream of speakers, workshops, sightseeing trips, and service activities. Every day ended with the room check at 11 pm. It was an inspiring and life-changing experience to listen to speakers such as Pulitzer Prize winner David Kennerly, Kerry Sellivan, President of Bank of America Charitable Foundation, etc. I know that the the bond I have formed with other Bank of America student leaders will last a lifetime.
If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
July 15th, 2012, My Job.JPG)
I have received many questions regarding what I do at Habitat for Humanity. Quite frankly, I have been so busy with my job that I haven't had much time to blog about it!
One main component of my job is that I learn. Through shadowing the leadership team at Habitat for Humanity, I learn how Habitat Pinellas functions. For example, from my experience with VP of Development Mr. Steve Lightburn, I learned how the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program functions to encourage corporations to sponsor Habitat homes. From COO Mr. Ron Spoor and VP of Construction Mr. Ken Rush, I learn the specifics of the actual construction of a Habitat house.
The second component of my job is that I execute and actively work on projects. Some of my projects include planning a pervious parking lot system for the Shady Grove Townhouse community and analyzing the 51 lots in the Stevens Creek subdivision and deciding which of our nine Habitat home models for that subdivision can fit on each lot. Another thing I do is actively work on jobsites, from helping to construct houses by putting up the soffit and fascia to deconstructing certain properties for items to be sold at our ReStore. This component of my job is extremely rewarding, and of course, I learn from these projects and hands on work.
I always cringe when I call the stuff I do at Habitat Pinellas "work." After all, I have a great time, and I have a lot of fun! Volunteer Coordinator Mr. Kevin Klucas taught me how to grill at the annual homeowners' picnic, and the other day I went with CEO Mrs. Barbara Inman and COO Mr. Ron Spoor to attend a rally for homeownership, my very first rally!
If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
June 25th, 2012, Double Home Dedication to the Griffis and Frey Families
Habitat Pinellas hosted a beautiful double home dedication to the Griffis and Frey families in the Stevens Creek subdivision this past Saturday. Like many other dedications done by Habitat Pinellas, the dedication included presentation of gifts by representatives of various sponsors including Valpak, Progress Energy, and other companies. Ms. Shirley Miaoulis represented Representative Bill Young and Councilperson Bill Jonson aided in presenting the two families with flags flown over the Capitol. Hammers, bibles, welcome mats, and keys were also presented to the families. The dedication ceremony wrapped up with a Habitat tradition of placing hands on the homes while blessing the homes and a breakfast given in each house.
Nonetheless, several things made this dedication special. First and foremost, we avoided the rain that would later flood our area. Secondly, both families added their special touches to this ceremony. The Griffis family invited Pastor Paul White of Salvation Saloon. Pastor White's blessing was so well spoken that it left the crowds talking about it! The Frey family's dedication was unique because the mother of the family, Ms. Estefani Frey, chose to keep it a secret from her children that they would get a new house! Moreover, there was a feeling that both families got much more than a house; both families got access to a new life. Ms. Barbara Griffis worked with Habitat in order to arrange her Habitat sweat equity hours in order to get a job in the medical field. Before the children of the Frey family knew they were getting a new house, VP of Programs and Homeowner Services Robert Reeves actually took the children to see their future home under the pretense that their mother was doing renderings for Habitat. Afterwards, he asked the children of the Frey family if they would want an apartment the size of that house, and they promptly responded “No! We want a house so we can play in the yard!” They certainly got their wish, and soon enough a playground will be developed in the lot right next to their house.
Personally, the Frey’s house was special to me due to the fact that I worked side by side Ms. Frey on my first day on the jobsite. COO Mr. Ron Spoor took me on a tour of Stevens Creek, and at the end of the tour Mr. Ron directed the landscaping activities and Ms. Frey, Mr. Ron, several site supervisors, two French business school interns, and I worked to get some of the landscaping done. Later at a meeting, Mr. Ron was asked about the landscaping on the Frey property. He jokingly replied, “It looks too good.” At the annual Homeowner Candidate picnic, I had a very good conversation with Ms. Frey. From my experiences and conversations, I know that the Frey and Griffis families truly deserve their houses. They have worked so hard for new homes and new beginnings in their lives. I wish them the best!
We will have a Nuts and Bolts Orientation meeting coming up THIS THURSDAY, June 28th. This meeting will help new volunteers understand more about Habitat for Humanity and its mission. I will also be there!
As always, If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
June 21st, 2012, Habitat as a Family
One of my favorite parts of this internship is having the chance to meet so many interesting people and having a chance to learn important lessons from them. On this Habitat Pinellas webpage, there is a section that gives the picture, e-mail address, name, and position of the staff. Unfortunately, it doesn't share the spectacular backgrounds of these people.
The President and CEO Mrs. Barbara Inman used the slogan "This is not your daddy's Habitat" to transform Habitat Pinellas from a small group that was viewed as a hobby construction group into one of the strongest and largest affiliates of Habitat for Humanity International. Before Mrs. Barbara came to Habitat Pinellas, the group was building two houses per year, but now, Habitat Pinellas builds two houses in a week during Blitz Build and no less than 26 houses per year. COO Mr. Ron Spoor is one of the kindest and most patient people you'll ever meet, and has worked on everything from acquiring properties for Habitat houses to personally landscaping Habitat properties. In addition to having great character, he has spectacular stories to tell; he has even worked with Habitat for Humanity's founder, the visionary Millard Fuller. VP of Programs and Homeowner Services Mr. Robert Reeves tirelessly maintains contact with a long list of homeowner candidates and guides them out of financial roadblocks and into a new life as a homeowner. VP of Development Mr. Steve Lightburn uses his humor and passion for Habitat Pinellas to secure donations, scout for volunteers, and present the option of a Habitat home for possible homeowner candidates. Development Manager Ms. Kristy Walby keeps track of these donations and plans Habitat fundraising events. VP Construction Mr. Ken Rush used his finance and construction mindset to push for major changes in the construction process of Habitat homes. Along with his team, which includes Materials and Site Supervisor Mrs. Gabriela Camacho, he has maintained and increaseed the number of houses our affiliate builds per year. Volunteer Coordinator Mr. Kevin Klucas helps distribute volunteers and volunteer groups to each site. Compliance Officer Mrs. Amy Meek maintains compliance and applies for construction grants. Communications Director Mrs. Robin Macar maintains this webpage and designs and launches advertising campaigns. ReStore Manager Mr. Doug DuPont took the ReStore from a small out-of-the-way building into its present glorious location. Of course, the success and the growth of the ReStore has also depended on the volunteers and workers there, including ReStore's brilliant salesman and supervisor Mr. Glenn Cooperman.
This organization is also filled with spectacular volunteers. Ms. Glori comes every week to input volunteer data while Ms. Kitty comes every week to personally call local businesses in order to offer volunteer opportunities, ask for donations, and schedule meetings between these businesses and Mr. Steve. Volunteers also play a major part in both the functioning of the ReStore and the building of each Habitat home.
It's an understatement to say that it's a pleasure to work here! The staff at Habitat Pinellas spoils me! Since day one, it was easy to settle in thanks to the help of the Office Manager Mrs. Jacquie Gourlay. In the mornings, Mrs. Margaret Sullivan warmly greets me. In fact, while I was writing this blog, Mr. Glenn stopped by to give me doughnuts!
Through simply the first two weeks of my internships, I learned not only how a sturdy house is constructed, but I've learned from the staff around me the importance of being passionate about your cause, the way to treat others with earnest warmth, and the importance of seizing those once in a lifetime opportunities. I have seen through attending various meetings and observing the actions of the people here that Habitat Pinellas is a family rather than a bureaucracy. The staff treat Habitat as a lifestyle rather than a job. But of course, don't take my word for all of this. After all, I cannot do the staff justice by introducing them with one or two sentences! Come out to Habitat Pinellas to volunteer and meet these people yourself!
We will have a Nuts and Bolts Orientation meeting coming up on June 28th. This meeting will help new volunteers understand more about Habitat for Humanity and its mission. I will also be there!
As always, If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
June 20th, 2012, A Quick Introduction
My name is Eric Tong and I am honored to work as an intern at the Pinellas affiliate of Habitat for Humanity! Back in April, when I was given a choice of several nonprofits to work at, I immediately chose to intern at Habitat for Humanity. I have no regrets. I am in my second week of the internship, and the experience I have had here is by far one of the greatest and most meaningful experiences in my life. In the coming weeks, I will backjournal on some of the things I have done, and I will share highlights of my job. For now, I would like to introduce myself. I have just graduated from St. Petersburg High School's International Baccalaureate Program two Saturdays ago. I graduated as the valedictorian as well as the Executive President of my school's Student Government Association. I have been very active in various extracurriculars, service opportunities, and leadership positions in my school and surrounding communities. I hope to continue my involvement in various activities when I go to college. At the end of this summer, I will start studying engineering at Columbia University in New York!
If you have any questions or comments, please post in the comment section below, or feel free to e-mail me!
