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Meet our Habitat Volunteer of the Month!
Anadarko Volunteers 9/27/2019
An Interview with Family Services Committee Member and Habitat Donor Linda Giardini
As we look toward restarting our Volunteer Construction Program when it is safe to do so, we at Greeley-Weld Habitat wanted to share the stories of some of our committed volunteers and donors who have supported our work through this difficult time. While COVID has forced the suspension of volunteering on the build site, we have continued to serve our Partner Families, supported by the dedicated efforts of our Volunteer Committees. Our Community Engagement Manager, Tom Clark, sat down for a brief conversation with Family Services Committee Member and Habitat donor, Linda Giardini, to discuss her connection with Habitat and the mission of providing strength, stability, and self-reliance to Weld County families.

This interview has been edited for space and content. 
Tom: I was wondering if you could just tell your story, who you are, what you have done professionally, how you came to be involved with Habitat?

Linda: So, I worked for 23 years with Anadarko Petroleum. It is now Occidental, and it was a couple of different companies before that, so I have been through a few significant changes. I was able to take early retirement, it has been a little over three years. So, when I retired, Jen Gerhman [who has] been years involved with Habitat, I believe she is on the board now and part of the family selection committee, she had asked me when I retired if I wanted to join the Family Selection Committee.

So, I started showing up at meetings then, and it just kind of evolved. I had extra time and those meetings were once a month and few home visits and so forth and I just offered [to] come into the office and help. Lizette (Habitat’s Family Services Director), poor thing, seemed so-so-so busy. I helped her with some filing then it grew to-- they had so many applications-- and just [helping with] the initial review of the application just to kind of weed out the definite no’s, the yeses, and so forth before they reach the committee. So [helping her with that process] saves her a lot of time. I have been helping her with that for the last couple of years now, going through all those applications. 

Tom: That is fantastic, working with those families is obviously the center of what we do, it is our mission to put those families into affordable homes. Could you talk a little bit about what working in the Family Services capacity means to you and the impact you see in the community? 

Linda: Well, it has taught me a lot. I started helping on home builds, when I worked in the oil and gas industry, we were big into helping with the home builds [through] our volunteer day but outside of that I did not really know about the process.

So, I would say I still learn every day. But I think getting in there and serving with the committee, just kind of learning the process of what families have to go through to actually qualify, it’s taught me so much. I am very humbled by meeting some of the families and how hard they work. I learned a ton from [Habitat Homeowners] Jackie and Thomas. I was honored because I got to do both of their home visits and learned so much about it.

We have this vision of what it requires to live in a wheelchair but until someone really shows you what it really requires, oh my gosh, I had no idea. The more I learn about the process you all go through to just help educate people on how to own a home and so forth, I am just really impressed with what it is all about. It is not a handout and I am just so impressed [with] how hard-working these people are and what all they have to learn.
 
Tom: Through your work with Lizette, volunteering on the Family Services Committee, and as a Habitat donor, what are your impressions of our mission, the work of Habitat in general? Did you have an interest or concern over affordable housing before you become involved with Habitat? Or have you grown, sort of come closer to that mission [through your work]?

Linda: No, it has been a concern [of mine]. I think as a parent of two millennials, understanding the housing [market] just even for them and in their own situations, maybe not quite as dire…but to see even what my son had to pay for his first home, and my daughter and the rent she was paying before, you know, she got into a better situation, how do people do it? I have worked in HR for so long, so I do understand. I worked in a high paying industry, but I do understand salary structures and to know what people make and how hard they work, even with overtime, how do they pay those rents on those incomes and still pay for things like food? I have a pretty good grasp of that financially, so yes, it has been a concern of mine.

Tom: What would you say to other interested donors, potential volunteers, would you recommend getting involved in the sort of administrative support and family services capacity that you have? Has it been a rewarding experience? 

Linda: It has been a very rewarding experience, like I said I am still learning, understanding some things, and how the model works. There are so many different committees to get involved in, it’s rewarding to go out and work on the building site, but that doesn’t necessarily teach you all about the organization, just how to build a home, unless you’re totally involved all the time. I would recommend for everyone to find what fits their passion. I am not much help on the construction site!

Tom: Just one last question, Is there anything in particular that you’re looking forward to engaging with Habitat or just looking to connect more with families?

Linda: Just looking forward to helping however I can. I love meeting the families and the kids. It’s fun, I wish I was bilingual, I wish I could help in that regard. I’ve kind of thought that if there are other capacities that need help, I am always willing!
For more information on committee membership, Family Services, or other volunteer opportunities with Greeley-Weld Habitat, please reach out to:
(970) 351-6766
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