Lending Hands, Changing Lives
“This was unequivocally, no doubt, a great use of time. It’s an investment that has a compounding effect, not only in our own lives…but also in the lives we impact,” said Mac Carr. “It’s really cool to see something that you’ve built that is going to stand the test of time and be here for a long, long time and continue to impact peoples’ lives. It’s really cool to be part of that.”
Noting “a renewed sense of faith in humanity” and feeling “grateful for the experience,” the Cisco Crisis Response Team (CCR) reflected on the experience of building homes with Asheville Habitat for a week. This was the first teambuilding experience for the CCR group, and director Erin Connor is confident it will not be the last.
Though lending a hand during some of the hottest days of summer, the team never complained. They brought their A-game, eager to work and excited to learn. Asheville Habitat construction supervisor Danny Toporovsky shared, “Y’all just came in here running. ‘Here we are, what do you want us to do? Let’s do it!’ You had a willingness to learn and desire to practice. You did fantastic work and brought a really great attitude. It was super fun to work with you.”
Converging in Asheville from North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Oakland, and Atlanta, the team bonded in a meaningful way. Some knew each other, others were meeting for the first time and becoming fast friends.
“Work has been super busy, and I thought of this as a little reprieve,” shared Deleine Lopez Cassell. “I expected hard work, but that first day kind of whooped me, I’m not going to lie! Despite being physically exhausted, I felt rejuvenated…I was getting to know new people and reconnecting with people I already know. It was really nice to have this bonding experience. I appreciate the fact that we were able to come out and do something good for someone else, to help build up another community- and gain skills while doing it.”
Habitat brings people to together to build homes, communities, and hope. This is our mission statement, and it is also our culture. It is deeply embedded in our everyday work, so much so that we sometimes take it for granted. Hearing from Cisco the impact of uniting with others around a shared goal, how the opportunity to bond resonated so deeply, was a reminder that Habitat for Humanity’s model is unique.
“What will you take with you?” This simple question asked by volunteer manager Stephanie Wallace at the end of the week kick-started the sharing that brought lots of laughter, head nodding, joking, and some tears. Besides dirt under nails and sore muscles, the team takes with them an appreciation for their employer who encourages volunteer service like this. They take new skills and knowledge about Habitat’s programs, affordable housing, and ongoing disaster recovery work. They take a sense of gratification and a desire to do more service work in the future.
As our friends from Cisco make their way back to their respective communities, Habitat staff gets right back to it the next morning. With more “gas in our tank,” we continue to build homes, communities, and hope in partnership with many businesses, organizations, faith communities, foundations, individuals, and governmental entities. Together, we build the world we all want to be part of.
Cisco is also a lead sponsor of ARCHR, funding disaster home repair work in Buncombe and Madison Counties. Learn more about ARCHR and Cisco’s incredible investment in this video.
