Part of Something Bigger—Chris' Volunteer Story

Photo: Chris (center) volunteering at an event.

"I love building things—I've been doing it ever since I was a kid," said Chris, a retired environmental engineer. "And I like a challenge." It probably won't surprise you, then, that Chris is a regular volunteer with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

Since 2020, Chris has volunteered with various groups, usually serving one to three days each week. Chris is what he calls a "free agent" and works where help is needed, which means he's worked with many different site supervisors. Though each supervisor has a different personality, Chris has noticed that they have some things in common: they want to help, be part of a solution, and do a good job. "The site staff have the same goals with different approaches," explained Chris. "In general, Habitat attracts people who want to be part of something bigger than themselves. I like that."

And thanks to site staff and other volunteers, Chris has learned a lot on the build site. Whether he's learning a new skill or a more efficient approach, he appreciate the collaborative environment. From spacing balusters to filling screw holes, volunteers share new methods and learn from each other. Some of Chris' favorite moments on sire are when he can help a new volunteer do something for the first time: "That's one of the most fun things about the whole job—seeing others learn. Of course, I learn from them, too."

Chris values doing things right, even if that means taking times or redoing mistakes. He emphasized that Twin Cities Habitat doesn't build cheap houses. He said, "They make good, well-built, efficient houses that just happen to be affordable."

Giving back to others is part of Chris' personal philosophy that he inherited from his parents. "Our family has been lucky to have a place to live, food on the table, and clothes on our back. That's not because we're better than others," he said. "When I volunteer, I have fun and contribute something that will help people in the community." Chris has even had the opportunity to hear Habitat homeowners share about their journeys. Listening to their stories reminded him that this is more than building houses; it's a transformational dream come true for many families.

If you're interested in joining volunteers like Chris on the build site for the first time, his advice is to just give it a try. "Don't worry about not knowing it all. People will teach you what you need to know. The goal is to be safe, have fun, and learn something. If you do those things, you'll help build a house."