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The non-profit agency featured this month as an interesting choice for your volunteer time is Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. Habitat is an ecumenical Christian housing organization based on the principles of human generosity, hard work and self-reliance. The organization works in partnership with the community to provide hope and new opportunities for working families who cannot afford home-ownership without assistance. The homebuyers are selected for the program based on their need, ability to pay for the house, and willingness to contribute 500 “sweat equity” hours in building their own home. The homes built are simple, decent, new home construction quality of approximately 1000-1100 square feet with no garage, carport or other extras. Houses are sold to the homebuyers at no profit and no interest—but they still have to make mortgage payments to Habitat. Those payments are used to build more houses through a revolving Fund for Humanity. 

Habitat for Humanity accepts no government funds and exists from the contributions of individuals, churches, foundations and organizations with less than 15% of the funds going for administrative expenses. Houses could not be built without donors, volunteers and skilled labor. Volunteers have the opportunity to lend a hand building the homes, staffing the critical committees and supporting the families, events and programs of Habitat for Humanity. If you are good with a hammer, the construction crew needs you and will teach you what you need to know to be an integral part of homebuilding. If you have an extra hammer or other tools, Habitat is always in need of donated materials. If you barely recognize a hammer, volunteers are needed in the office, to serve on committees, or mentor a family. Someone to greet folks, file and answer the phone is always appreciated, but if you can provide data entry on the computer, that would be a tremendous help also. Committee work runs a wide gamut of time, interests and abilities. If you have some real estate background, the Building and Site Selection committee might be the one for you. The Pubic Relations and Development committee would be especially interesting to those who could help to publicize the work of Habitat and explore new contacts and funding methods to support the program. Those who are comfortable in working with churches or the business world might find it very rewarding to initiate partnerships who would work with Habitat’s goals and objectives through the Church or Corporate Relations committees. The Family Selection committee chooses the homeowners, but also trains, supports and encourages the families as they take on the responsibilities of home ownership. 

Habitat for Humanity has so many levels of volunteer service; you will surely find deep pride and personal satisfaction in however you choose to help. 

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

SHALOM READERS is an after school program for Dupre Elementary students which will meet at Asbury United Methodist Church (2005 Avenue T) from 3:00 until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays from the middle of March until the end of May. The program will provide tutoring and reading materials that will help third through sixth graders to increase their reading comprehension, have resources and assistance to those who need help in completing homework assignments, and give each participant a healthy afternoon snack. If your talents concern crafts or musical ability, this aspect of education would be appreciated also. There will be no more than 20 children enrolled with a maximum of two students per tutor. Although all activities will take place in the lower level of the church, there is a motorized stair-chair available if needed. Orientation for volunteers will be held the week of March 11 and the first session will take place on March 19th. This is a short-term program that really might give a child the boost to make a real difference in the course of his life. Please say you’ll help!

DEBT (Developmental Education Birth through Two) office in the LISD Administration Building would like someone to file and stuff envelopes one day each week for a few hours. They would appreciate your help anytime all day on Wednesday and Thursday or on Tuesday afternoon. This program focuses on babies who need extra help to develop their full potential and you can help them to do that.

STORK’S NEST, 26th and Avenue Q, would like some assistance anytime and any day during the week. Duties would be those of general office work in a small office. If you would like to sharpen your data entry skills, they would also appreciate a volunteer who could put valuable information into their computer. The program is very easy to learn. The information to which you might have access in this position would require that you maintain a high degree of confidentiality. Stork’s Nest provides education and assistance to very young mothers as they learn how to be good moms. 

HOW do I join RSVP?
Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Ronda Casey or Bonne Phillips about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!