No Specific Skills, But Willing to Learn

A few months back I completed Habitat’s volunteer registration form. It asks what previous building and/or Habitat experience you have, along with your specific skills. Somewhat alarming was the fact that they also requested the name of your doctor and your health insurance policy number.

Having watched hundreds of hours of remodeling/refurbishing shows as well as an entire season of “Design Star” on HGTV, I felt confident that I possessed at least a few highly specialized abilities that could support the cause. For example, I can choose complementary paint colors, buy coordinated pillows, and match throw rugs all purchased at completely different stores. Send me on a shopping run to Kohl’s or Gordman’s and I’ll return with an SUV filled with colorful, affordable decorative doodads.

However, the Habitat folks are not looking for volunteers with this skill set, unique as it may be. I learned this when completing the registration form. After checking ‘no’ to skills in plumbing, landscaping, painting, electrical, general contractor, roofing, trim and finish, flooring, and siding I had to stare reality in the face. Officially I fall into Habitat’s category of ‘unskilled’, which means I have no specific skills, but am willing to learn.

Fortunately for the good people who will be living in these new homes the 1,700 volunteers include many enthusiastic long-time Habitat volunteers who have the proper building skills. Many will be supervising people like me. After landing at the Gulfport-Biloxi Airport I rode to the hotel with several seasoned Habitat veterans. Because I was the only newbie in the group I thought perhaps I had stepped onto the wrong bus. They greeted each other like old friends with multiple Tower of Babel-like conversations happening all at once.

They were certainly a welcoming bunch. Jerry Kwas, from Detroit, who has been a volunteer since 1999. He has missed only two of the annual Carter Builds. His dedication and quiet modesty are impressive. Most Habitat volunteers like Jerry who travel to the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter build sites pay for their travel, lodging, and registration fees themselves. (Note: My Knight Foundation colleagues and I are being sponsored by our employer, who is also a major sponsor of this build. More about this in another entry.)

Jerry explained that at the builds in Mexico, Philippines, and Korea the homes are like small shelters, only about 300 square feet and built with concrete blocks. Their construction requires masonry skills. Here in Biloxi, the new homes will be framed. The frames will be delivered pre-built on sites where the foundation is laid and the infrastructure is in place. If not, we would need much more than a week here to really accomplish anything.

The experienced volunteers tell me this will be a week like no other. One thing’s for sure: after this week some families are going to have a place to call their own thanks to the efforts of thousands of people who care. And I think that’s the reason we’re all here. I just that my lack of skills doesn’t result in a need to call my family doctor or use my health insurance ID.