Volunteer Spotlight: Christy Jacobi

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Habitat Donor & Volunteer for 20 years
Three words she uses to describe her experience with us: Authentic, Fun, Educational

At Habitat, we often find our most dedicated supporters are those who not only contribute financially but also roll up their sleeves on the build site. Christy embodies this spirit wholeheartedly. Her journey with Habitat began in 2005 when she and her husband, Jim, made their first donation with a commitment to invest locally and help families build generational wealth through homeownership.

As Christy’s involvement deepened, so did her passion for making a tangible impact. In 2021, she began volunteering, often bringing along her children Andy, Sara, and Ryan. For Christy, volunteering was about immersing herself in the Habitat experience, meeting future Habitat homeowners and learning about the education and sweat equity homeowners commit to in the program.

Christy has built memories with each of her children on the build site. On a hot summer day, she and her son Andy worked side by side with Rod, a family friend and Habitat Tiger, feeling both tired and inspired by the end of it. When she was on site with Sara, they installed siding alongside Erica, a 2023 Habitat Homeowner, who shared her enthusiasm for owning a home where her children had more space to learn, play and grow. Recently, Ryan volunteered with her, and they had the opportunity to chat with Habitat staff to learn even more about the impact of their family’s continued support. For Christy, it’s about instilling in her children the importance of community, philanthropy, and investing your time in a cause you care about.

We are so grateful for Christy’s commitment to walk alongside Habitat families as they achieve their dream of homeownership. There are many ways you can get involved in Habitat’s work. Learn more here!

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Volunteer Spotlight: Keith Nonnenmacher

By | ReStore, Volunteer | No Comments

Habitat ReStore Volunteer for 2 years
Three words he uses to describe his experience with us: Fun, Inspiring, and Meaningful

Meet Keith, a dedicated volunteer who’s been making a significant impact at the Fishers Habitat ReStore since 2021. Before joining the Fishers team, he started his Habitat volunteer journey at the Charlottesville Habitat Store in Virginia back in 2019. After relocating to Indiana, he dove into the world of the Greater Indy Habitat ReStores. Since his inception in 2021, Keith has generously contributed 730 hours to the Fishers ReStore, a testament to his unwavering commitment. His dedication didn’t go unnoticed, as he was recognized as one of the 2022 Volunteer of the Year award recipients, having chalked up an impressive 377 hours. 

Keith’s passion lies in working with his hands, building, and fixing things. At the Fishers ReStore, he’s taken on the role of lighting maestro, expertly assembling light fixtures. When asked about his motivation to keep returning to the ReStore, he emphasizes his enjoyment in working with both the staff and customers. Keith’s specific area of interest, donated lighting, brings him immense satisfaction as he artfully arranges the lights to make them appealing to customers. His favorite aspect of volunteering, however, is the interactions with customers as they unearth hidden treasures at the ReStore. Over time, Keith has built connections with regular customers, and he eagerly anticipates hearing about how a ReStore find integrates into their home improvement projects. 

When Keith shares advice for prospective volunteers, he emphasizes the ever-present need for help at the ReStore and encourages them to give it a try. He suggests that finding one’s niche within the ReStore can be an incredibly rewarding experience, adding that seeing the positive impact they can make may lead to more volunteering hours than initially planned. 

As for memorable moments, Keith modestly shares that his most cherished one was receiving the Volunteer of the Year award in 2022. It’s a testament to his dedication and the gratification he derives from his volunteer work. Keith’s journey is a true testament to the joy and fulfillment that volunteering can bring, not just to those he serves but to himself as well. 

We thank you, Keith, for being a true champion of Habitat and serving the community with us. There are many opportunities to give your time and talents within the ReStore. Click here to learn more about ways to get involved.

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Volunteer Spotlight: Janette Smith

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4 Year Tiger Team Member

What is your favorite hobby/project outside of Habitat?
Gardening, singing, spending time with my daughter & husband, riding my bike (though not as much as some of the Tigers.

What is your favorite Tiger memory?
Helping to build the 2 Women’s Build houses in 2020 both as a Tiger & a Women’s Build team leader was a great accomplishment, since the Women’s Build was a big part of why I became a Tiger. But every home dedication is a great thing.

Possibly my least favorite memory was my failed attempt to teach my new phone to fly while putting the ridge cap on a mini barn. Said phone landed face-down on the new concrete pad. It did make my case to my husband that I really should use a screen protector….

What did you do in your previous life (pre-Tiger Team)?
I retired from being an Environmental Consultant for about 7 years, after previously retiring from 26+ years doing a variety of things at Dow AgroSciences. But I’m a compulsive community volunteer, so a number of those activities (church, neighborhood, Second Helpings, etc.) have continued.

Who is one of your heroes and why?
I don’t have a single hero, though I admire anyone who strives selflessly to improve others’ situations.

Janette, your commitment and enthusiasm truly embody the spirit of giving back. Thank you for showing up for us in such a big way! If you or anyone you know is inspired by Janette’s story and want to learn more about the Tiger Team, click here.

Hear about our other inspiring volunteers!

Volunteer Spotlight: Ebony Carter

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Habitat Volunteer for 6 years
Three words she uses to describe her experience with us: Compassion, Diverse, Community

Meet Ebony, a dedicated volunteer with a passion for behavioral health and mental health, who is committed to making a positive impact in her community. Ebony’s journey volunteering with Habitat began in 2005 when she moved to Indianapolis, seeking to make friends and get involved in her new city. She found that volunteering was an easy way to meet like-minded individuals and connect with the kind of people who share her values and interests.  

One of the key factors that keeps Ebony coming back to volunteer with Greater Indy Habitat is the fulfillment she derives from it. She describes volunteering as something that “fills her cup” with joy. For Ebony, volunteering is a way to connect with a purpose, to meet people who are in the process of moving into new homes, and to witness the transformational impact that Habitat’s work has on families. She is deeply committed to serving underserved populations and fostering inclusivity. One of Ebony’s most cherished memories with Habitat was helping to finish a house for an immigrant family. The family’s overwhelming gratitude and excitement left a lasting impression on her, emphasizing the transformative power of Habitat’s work. 

Ebony’s love for volunteering lies in the connections she forms with people and the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping others. She firmly believes that those with skills and resources have an obligation to give back. Now, Ebony volunteers with her team at work, as a project manager with IU Health. Her journey with Habitat exemplifies the positive impact that dedicated volunteers can have on the world around them, helping to create stronger and more compassionate communities. If you would like to be a part of making that change happen, check out how to get more involved here 

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Reaching New Heights in 2023

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a historic year in review

As 2023 comes to a close, we reflect on a historic year filled with meaningful milestones for our homeowners, volunteers, supporters, staff and board. Once again, our work this year was a collective effort of thousands of hands and hearts, including yours, which allowed us to navigate the challenges in providing affordable housing in greater Indy.

Watch the video for a recap of this incredible year! Thank you for playing a part in strengthening our mission. See you in 2024!