Volunteer Spotlight: Hyanne and Justin
Meet the mother and son volunteer duo, Hyanne and Justin
The San Gabriel Valley Habitat Monrovia office is always happy to see families helping families. Hyanne (mother) and Justin (son) embody just that – they are our dedicated office volunteer duo who seeks to make a positive impact in their community by volunteering!
Hyanne comes from a law background; she helped domestic violence victims and the homeless population as an attorney. She obtained her degrees from Standford University and the University of Southern California School of Law. Raised with strong values, she pursued opportunities to help others and taught her children, Justin (14) and Emily (18) to do the same.
Hyanne has helped Habitat in more ways than one. From volunteering on multiple Habitat build sites to now volunteering at our local San Gabriel Valley Habitat office, her heart for the community drives her.
“You come to this earth, whatever you do, it should be to make a positive impact. Volunteering is something you do out of selflessness. If I can give my energy, time, and effort to help just one person or an organization, it’s worth it to me.” Hyanne says.
Justin, Hyanne’s son, volunteered at our office during his spring break and regularly volunteers at SGV ReStores. As a 9th grader in high school, he is a part of multiple extracurricular activities such as the Model United Nations Club, Helping Hands Club, and is a competitive swimmer on Rose Bowl Aquatics Swim team. He aspires to receive the President’s Volunteer Service Award by completing 100+ hours at nonprofit organizations (like ours)!
“Volunteering is economically important. It creates jobs, helps organizations like San Gabriel Valley Habitat, builds a sense of community, and helps individuals and families connect with one another while doing something for the greater good,” Justin said.
Currently, Hyanne and Justin are helping SGV ReStores organizing in-kind donation receipts and analyzing data for the ReStore department. The Duarte and Atwater ReStores are a critical part of raising funds to help families in the community access affordable housing. All proceeds from SGV ReStores go back to help build and repair more homes.
A big thank you from the San Gabriel Valley Habitat family to Hyanne and Justin for their dedication, hard work, and commitment to help families in the San Gabriel Valley. Thank you for being a part of our mission!
*It’s National Volunteer Month! Here at San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, we truly value those who volunteer their time with us. We recognize these volunteers for their commitment to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. The dedication of these volunteers is highlighted through their significant time commitment and passion for the cause. The work of volunteers is critical to achieving our vision of a San Gabriel Valley and a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Learn more about volunteering here.
Volunteer Spotlight: David
Meet our Office Staff Volunteer, David
David began volunteering at the front desk – but before we knew it, he was reassigned to do high-level tasks because of his abundant work experience!
He comes from an extensive education background, having retired as an Assistant Superintendent of Administrative Service at Burbank Unified School District, holding positions as the Chief Business Officer for Temple City Unified School District and the Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for Pasadena Unified School District.
As a resident of Monrovia for over two decades, he has deep connections with the San Gabriel Valley. David’s definition of home is: “Home is where your family is and where you can rest, recharge, and feel the freedom to be yourself while being protected by exterior elements,” David said.
Since being introduced to San Gabriel Valley Habitat by his daughter, Julianna, he has been a dedicated volunteer at the Monrovia office.
David rewrote the Bylaws of the Organization and the Articles of Incorporation, revised the Disaster plan, updated loan documents, built alongside the Foothill Credit Union for a build day event (where he is a board member), and much more. He loves being able to work with our team to give low-income families a hand-up by providing affordable mortgages.
“The fun part is that the work varies every week. Who knows what tomorrow will bring?” David said.
When David was asked why he thinks volunteerism is important, he responded, “No nonprofit organization can make it today without the support of others. SGV Habitat relies on others to help build homes, including the new homeowners who must put in volunteer hours for Habitat’s support. I believe that once one can afford to retire, it is time to give back whatever one can, and I do it through volunteering my time in the office for Habitat.”
Thanks to volunteers like David, San Gabriel Valley Habitat will continue to fight the housing affordability crisis in the region and serve more families in need of a safe, decent, and affordable home.
A big thank you to David for his expertise, knowledge, and commitment to volunteering his time at San Gabriel Valley Habitat. Thank you, David. You are a truly valued member of the organization!
*It’s National Volunteer Month! Here at San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, we truly value those who volunteer their time with us. We recognize these volunteers for their commitment to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. The dedication of these volunteers is highlighted through their significant time commitment and passion for the cause. The work of volunteers is critical to achieving our vision of a San Gabriel Valley and a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Learn more about volunteering here.
We are LUCKY for People Like You
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by thanking our loyal donors, partners, volunteers, supporters, and shoppers
On St. Patrick’s Day, we want you to know how lucky we are for people like you (our Habitat heroes). When we work together, we offer hard-working families the opportunity to create a healthier and more vibrant future.
Whether you donate, partner, volunteer, advocate, or shop at our ReStores, you can make a tangible impact that will last for generations.
Here are a few reasons why your generosity matters so much to our mission to end the affordable housing crisis in the San Gabriel Valley:
- In fiscal year 2021, you donated over $3.6 million to build and repair more homes. Read more on our 2021 Gratitude Report.
- You helped us launch our three-year, $28 million campaign to help 100 families here, and abroad, build or repair their very own place to call home. Learn more.
- 6.450 total individual, youth, and corporate volunteer hours were put in at our ReStores and construction sites
- 200+ tons of goods were diverted from landfills through ReStore donations
- 40,886 customers shopped at our ReStore and all the proceeds went back to helping our mission
- And much more!
The housing crisis is ongoing. 2021 is proof, with your support, positive impact can be made in the fight to solve it. Every donation, every volunteer hour, every purchase at the ReStore, every advocacy effort – contributes to helping families live and remain in a safe, decent, and affordable home.
Recognizing Inspiring Women
As stated in The White House proclamation, “Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to honor the generations of trailblazing women and girls who have built our Nation, shaped our progress, and strengthened our character as a people.” San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat) will celebrate this month by encouraging supporters to nominate an inspiring woman as part of their upcoming Women Build event.
Since 1991, Women Build has brought women and their allies together to raise funds, recruit their friends and build homes side-by-side with those in need of affordable housing. To date, the Women Build event has helped house families in Glendale, Pasadena, Monterey Park, Baldwin Park, Monrovia, and throughout the San Gabriel Valley through volunteering, donations, and advocacy.
Our goal with Women Build is to empower women to help families build strength, stability and independence. We at Habitat have the ability to provide opportunities for hands-on learning, and given these tools, women can succeed in changing their communities.
To honor Women’s History Month, SGV Habitat is encouraging supporters to share a story about an inspiring woman in your life through our website (https://sgvhabitat.org/unsung-shero/) before May 6. Or, fill out the form below!
Who's Your Unsung #SHEro?
Who has pushed you to achieve the impossible? Who has supported you through challenging times? Share her story with us below to be featured on our social media and blog. Fill out the form below by Friday, May 6, 2022, to be considered.
For more information SGV Habitat Women Build 2022, visit https://sgvhabitat.org/get-involved/womenbuild/
Habitat for Humanity’s Most Famous Volunteer
Happy President’s Day to former U.S. President Jimmy Carter
In celebration of President’s Day, we’d like to acknowledge the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. James (Jimmy) Earl Carter, Jr., has always had a voice for affordable, decent housing for all.
In March of 1984, President Carter resonated with Habitat’s mission of helping families achieve their dream of homeownership when he jogged by the New York City Habitat build and thought to himself, “Rosalynn and I should come up and give them a hand.”
His Deep Commitment and Value Alignment
President Carter and Mrs. Carter realized Habitat’s mission aligned with their values – they understood the need for families to have a stable, affordable foundation to grow. With this, President and Mrs. Carter formed a partnership with Habitat for Humanity and have been building to improve homes through the Jimmy & Rosalyn Carter Work Project.
Although Carter is most known in the world for his notable accomplishments as the President of the United States, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the Governor of Georgia, and more, in Habitat’s world, President Carter is known as our most famous volunteer.
Over the course of 30 years, President Carter has inspired millions of people in 14 countries while working alongside more than 104,000 Habitat volunteers to build, renovate and repair 4,390 homes.
“We have the ambition to share some of our good fortune with others,” Carter says.
“That’s one of the most difficult things in life: to cross that chasm between well-off people and families that don’t have a decent home. That’s one of the things Habitat has given to us: an ability to share, side by side, building a home with families that have never had a decent place to live.”
A fact of Carter’s commitment
Carter suffered a fall in his Georgia home that led to 14 stitches and a visibly black eye. Despite his injuries, he traveled to Nashville to help rally volunteers during the 36th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project with Habitat for Humanity.
We are honored and grateful for President Carter and Mrs. Carter’s continued partnership and support. You can add to their mission of life-changing work by volunteering, donating, or shopping at San Gabriel Valley Habitat ReStores.
Volunteer Spotlight: Justin
MEET JUSTIN
Justin (pictured below) is our last volunteer feature for #NationalVolunteerMonth. Born in San Gabriel and raised in Azusa, he has been volunteering with Habitat for over two years!
“I wanted to help local organizations that would affect a greater amount of people. Habitat’s office was just a 3-minute drive from my home! I started helping with clerical work and data entry and have been volunteering there ever since.
“On my first day of volunteering at Habitat, I learned that Habitat builds homes for people in need and bring communities together! Through many programs and events, such as Women Build, there are many opportunities for the community to gather, communicate, and give back.”
He continues to volunteer every few weeks – but why you ask?
“I choose to help others because it makes me so happy to improve or ease someone’s day in any way. I believe that helping others helps us stay connected, and helping out as much as you can brings more joy into the world.
“I think that a safe and stable home is important because it is crucial for one’s mental and physical health. A person needs a safe place to reside and rest at the end of the day. Further, a safe home is especially important for families because it is the place where they grow and create meaningful relationships. A stable home is essential. It offers protection and helps people flourish.
“I encourage everyone, no matter your age, to support Habitat for Humanity by volunteering. There is always something engaging and productive to do, and it is an amazing environment to work in. I know that every task I do when I volunteer will impact so many people. Whether you volunteer in the office or help build a home – there are always friendly people there to assist you. Volunteering at Habitat is always the highlight of my week and I am so glad I get to help this amazing organization.”
Volunteer Spotlight: Crissy
MEET CRISSY
In honor of National Volunteer Month, this week’s volunteer cheers goes to Crissy (pictured below).
Never scared to pick up a hammer and put her muscles to work, Crissy is one of Habitat’s most well-known volunteers. Wherever she’s volunteering, she does it wholeheartedly!
“When I first got involved with SGV Habitat, I wanted to go big. I wanted a weekday, hands-on volunteer project that resulted in an outcome that I could see and touch. It’s a great fit for me.”
Crissy has helped in more ways than one. Whether it’s at a construction site, at the office, or as a donor, her commitment to helping others is unwavering.
“Since I started volunteering with Habitat, I continue to support the mission in a number of ways. I’ve helped build the Lomita Ave. and Manzanita Ave. homes and worked on the Pasadena home repair projects.
“I am a member of the Women Build Planning Committee where I offer Habitat staff a volunteer perspective and I enjoy my duties helping to recruit and coordinate Crew Leaders for the event. I am also really thrilled about volunteering at the new ReStore in Duarte opening soon. You can bet I’ll be there as a customer as well as a volunteer in the store.
“I feel very fortunate to be a member of the Carpenter’s Club because I know those dollars are going to help support the Habitat mission and strengthen our community.”
Parting words of wisdom from Crissy:
“Invest in your communities, and be role models for the next generation of youth as we seek to make the San Gabriel Valley and our world a better place for everyone in it.”
We are so grateful for Crissy and the significant impact she has had on families and her community. Cheers to Crissy!
Volunteer Spotlight: Ruben
MEET RUBEN
In honor of National Volunteer Month, this week’s volunteer cheers goes to Ruben (pictured below).
Ruben has been a proud Habitat volunteer and Carpenters’ Club member for the past two years! He is also part of SGV Habitat’s Catholic Coalition, one of the handful of partnerships we have with several denominations to bring strength, stability, and self-reliance to families of all faiths!
“The first time I heard about Habitat I thought it was a great program for low-income renters to become homeowners. I have witnessed the impact the housing crisis has had on many in our community.
“A close friend of mine lives in a single room with his wife and child. Even though he works very hard to provide for his family, our region’s sky-rocketing rents prevent him from living anywhere else.
“The thing I love most about Habitat is that it’s a real solution, not a band-aid!
“I recently had the opportunity to volunteer alongside nine home repair families in Pasadena. Their hard work and dedication inspire me every day!” Ruben said. Ruben not only helps families through his volunteer work, but he is also part of the monthly giving program that keeps us building – the Carpenter’s Club!
“I feel great knowing that my monthly contribution has transformed families’ lives and will transform many more in the future. It is that very reason that I am proud to call myself a Carpenters’ Club member!”
Although you cannot currently volunteer on the construction site to help build with hammers and nails, you can join Ruben and the other Carpenter’s Club members to keep us building all year long!
Volunteer Spotlight: Melinda
MEET MELINDA
Meet Melinda (below), our amazing AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer. Melinda oversees faith, youth and community partnerships at SGV Habitat. She chose to do her one-year term with us because she values our mission and wants to advance affordable housing in her community. Volunteers like Melinda make the work that we do possible! Cheers to you, Melinda! Thank you for helping families achieve safe, decent, and affordable housing here in the San Gabriel Valley!
