Independence is what Habitat is all about. The first time I volunteered to help build a house, my mom had recently died. I built in her honor, and I built on Saturday of Mother's Day weekend. The house I worked on was to be for a single mom and her three children. My mom raised me to think of others, and I felt like I was doing something good in her memory. It felt wonderful to help someone else when I felt that I had so much in life. I had to ask people to donate to my cause, and that was really the biggest challenge for me. I don't like to ask anyone for anything. My parents were very giving souls. Both worked full-time, AND volunteered in our community as a volunteer fire fighter and an EMT-A, respectively. When I was married, I was made to feel weak if I had to ask for help. So I did whatever I needed to do, to NOT ask for help. Ever.
In my past life, I was a "super" mom, and "super" wife.
I stayed at home and ran my household. I worked part-time, but spent the rest of my time figuring out the logistics of dinner menus, chauffeuring duties, house keeping, flower gardening, play dates, birthdays and doing all those things a good wife does to make her husband shine. Even as I lead a Girl Scout troop, I struggled to ask co-leaders to do anything. I did not want to appear weak. I could do everything, and I could do it all.
When I volunteered to build on my second Habitat Women Build, my life was changing. I had lost my "super" status and was feeling pathetic. A friend had asked me a year before if I would build with her. At that time, I was in graduate school and told her to ask me the next year, because I literally didn't have the time. Thankfully, she remembered, and she did asked me again. When we went to the call out meeting, I saw so many familiar faces. I found a supportive community that only asked me to give what I was able of myself. No more, no less. I was drawn to be a part of this greater good. It was simple to say yes, and to do something for someone else. I was happy to have a new purpose, and something to look forward to doing with others. It was still hard knowing I was going to need to ask for money, but I sucked it up. I asked my relatives. They quickly put me over my $250 required to build dollar amount. I thought, 'Wow. That was easy and painless.'
My build day came. We were working in a brand new neighborhood, on the very first two houses to go up. I was witness to a new beginning. I had one of the future owners and her husband up working with me. That was my first time up on a roof. It was invigorating!!! The hardest part was transferring from the ladder to the roof and vice versa. I have learned how to walk on a roof, how to properly cut and lay singles, and how to communicate with new people while speaking a new coded language. I had a few friends up with me, but most of the people on the team were not people I knew personally. Trusting others and working together, such great gifts I was receiving.
My build day came. We were working in a brand new neighborhood, on the very first two houses to go up. I was witness to a new beginning. I had one of the future owners and her husband up working with me. That was my first time up on a roof. It was invigorating!!! The hardest part was transferring from the ladder to the roof and vice versa. I have learned how to walk on a roof, how to properly cut and lay singles, and how to communicate with new people while speaking a new coded language. I had a few friends up with me, but most of the people on the team were not people I knew personally. Trusting others and working together, such great gifts I was receiving.
*****
The following January, I quickly jumped at building again. I saw the home owners I had built for the year before. Witnessing the smiles on their faces and hearing them talk about how wonderful it was to own their house made my heart smile. I didn't need them to know who I was. I just needed to know I made a difference. Here was my proof. Stories of their new place were easy to hear. Asking for donations for a cause I felt so strongly about made this year's requests a little easier. I expanded my donor base and ask friends. With just a little more effort, I was close to earning a pink tool belt, which I really, really wanted. So I pushed a little harder. That tool belt was going to be nice to have!
On build day, I again found myself on the roof and working online side the future, and current neighborhood owners. Getting to know someone I was helping felt so good. I was helping make a difference. The take away for me was that I was helping better my own community. As I was working together with others, I was growing, and so were they.
Additionally, that spring a former student of mine became a Habitat family. Future Habitat homeowners are selected based on three basic criteria: 1) their need for housing 2) their ability to repay an affordable mortgage and 3) their willingness to partner with Habitat by earning 250 hours of “sweat equity” or volunteer time.* They must also take classes on home ownership, and simple repairs. The support network Habitat creates in doing all this is such a gift in it's own right. Habitat families are asked to speak in front of others and tell their stories. They inspire.
When I signed up to build the next year, I realized that I had actually raised $1000 by simply asking the year before; more than enough to get that pink tool belt. I raised my goal to $1000 and decided to give even more of myself. I joined a group called S.H.E. - Society for Habitat Empowerment. I have agreed to raise $1000 a year for five years. This year marked my third year in my fundraising efforts as a member of S.H.E.
I am forever grateful to those friends and family who support my cause. I am forever grateful to Habitat for allowing me the opportunity to help build a house for someone else in my community. I am bonded with the knowledge that if I can help make a difference in my community, others can as well.
We just need to choose to spread positivity, understanding and love.
~Lisa Kroll
volunteer, wonder woman, independent soul who is still learning to ask for help and knows she is not weak for doing so...just smart
*from the Habitat For Humanity of Monroe County Web Site. Click Here for more details.
*from the Habitat For Humanity of Monroe County Web Site. Click Here for more details.
