Community

People Making a Difference

Volunteer helps at Habitat’s ReStore

Andrew Hodgson didn’t move to Utah for its mountains, to become an all-star skier or to join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Hodgson came to Utah for one reason and one reason only—Habitat for Humanity.

Hodgson, a 22-year-old Arizona native, said he wanted to be part of an organization that helps people achieve their dreams. In Utah County, Hodgson is helping residents get out of substandard housing and into new homes. 

As an AmeriCorps VISTA, Hodgson is working with Habitat for Humanity of Utah County on a new major project called ReStore. ReStores are retail outlets opened by Habitat for Humanity locations all over the country that sell new or gently used building materials at a reduced price. Local building companies and Utah County residents donate used and surplus building supplies that are then sold to the general public.

“Normally companies get rid of extra or used building materials by throwing them away, filling up the landfills,” Hodgson said. “By donating them to us, everyone benefits.”

Hodgson said the proceeds from the ReStore go to Habitat for Humanity to fund building projects and operating expenses.

 “The ultimate goal of the ReStore is to pay for all administrative costs and overhead of Habitat so that all donated money goes to families and building them new homes,” he said.

Hodgson has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in three different states in various positions. In recalling his first day on a building site, Hodgson said he had hit maybe 10 nails in his life before joining the Habitat for Humanity team. When he was at a building site, he always wanted to paint so nobody would see his mistakes. However, all of that has changed, and Hodgson said he is now confident and comfortable with a hammer and a paintbrush in any house.

“When you work for Habitat for Humanity, at the end of the day, wherever you are, you know you’re a part of one of the world’s most ambitious and successful nonprofit organizations,” Hodgson said. “Even if it’s frustrating or tiring or it seems like things don’t work and it doesn’t matter what we do here, you have to tackle large problems in small strokes. You can’t run a mile without taking that first step. And at Habitat, we try.  Even if we aren't changing the world, we are all trying.”

Volunteer Serves Senior Citizens

Each week, Tina Lopez donates 20 hours driving, picking up groceries for and visiting with senior citizens.

“Tina has been in the program for about two years,” said Cheri Christensen, administrative assistant and recruiter for the Senior Companion Program. “Every week, she works with about 10 to 12 clients who she visits, takes on errands and provides companionship for. She is always upbeat, very caring and puts her whole heart into her volunteering.”

Lopez, a retired nurse from Orem, began volunteering with the Senior Companion program through Mountainland Association of Governments because she wanted to find a better way to spend her time.

“I had retired from the hospital, and I tried a couple of other things,” Lopez said. “I started to stay home, but that wasn’t good enough for me. There are so many people out there who really need you. I would hope if I ever need someone someday, someone would come and talk to me. They can get pretty lonely, but it gives them something to really look forward to, especially if there is a set time and date.”

According to Lopez, what she does it not hard.

“I either take them to get groceries or I get groceries for them,” she said. “Some of them just want me to sit with them.”

Lopez said she feels serving has helped her as much as the older women she helps. She and her clients form close friendships and enjoy the time they spend together. Lopez said she has learned valuable lessons about attitude from some of her clients.

“You learn to appreciate what they are like and how strong they are,” she said. “People are so strong. Some of my clients have so many things going on, but they never complain.”

Lopez recommends volunteering with the Senior Companion Program because she said she gains so much from her experiences.

“I think it is rewarding because I feel like if I wasn’t doing this, I wouldn’t be doing anything,” Lopez said. “This gives me a chance to give somebody else something to look forward to and they also give back to me in their own way. We become really good friends. I would recommend it for others. I think it is important for us to feel like we are doing something good.”

For more information on volunteering with the Senior Companion Program, contact Cheri Christensen at 801-851-7784.

Teenagers Volunteer to Give Back to the Community

Every Friday, siblings Matthew and Rachel Hardin participate in an activity with children and teenagers with developmental disabilities.

The Hardin siblings, ages 15 and 13, began volunteering with Recreation and Habilitation Services in the spring when their mother felt they needed to give back to the community.

“We have 10 children,” said Mary Hardin, the children’s mother. “It is easy for kids to become self centered. We have always tried to either help our neighbors or do some community service to help our kids look outward. I hope it makes them more appreciative of the abilities they have.”

Having younger volunteers helps the RAH participants want to get involved.

“They come almost every Friday to our youth activity,” said Fabiola Marquez, RAH’s program coordinator. “They are such a big help because they are younger and are the age of the participants. They are so enthusiastic and want to participate so it makes the participants want to participate. They have been a big help.”      

Each week the Hardins spend about an hour participating in different social activities with the younger members of RAH.

“I was interested in having my kids work with kids the same age who have disabilities,” Mary said. “It is not a huge commitment, but it is enough that my kids feel like they are doing something helpful.”

The various activities they have participated in are planting gardens, having water fights, going on field trips and working on art projects.

“I like being with kids my own age and learning about how they live,” Rachel said. “It is a good opportunity for me to serve. It is fun. You can find good activities while getting service time in. It is really a good thing to serve.”

Both Hardin’s agree spending time with the RAH members is more fun than work.

“We go there and help some cool kids have a good time,” Matthew said.

The Hardins also say the RAH kids are not the only ones gaining something from the activities they participate in.

“I have definitely gained a great appreciation for these kids,” Matthew said. “They love to have fun. I think that it will make me more willing to go out and do other service projects seeing that it actually does influence.”

Rachel agrees the experience has given her a lifelong desire to serve.

“I think it helps me understand better how these kids live and how I can help them,” she said. “I think that I’ve learned that serving is good. I think it is really going to help me to keep going after this."