Over the past decade, ReEmployAbility has partnered with Habitat for Humanity Restores in communities across the nation. We recently sat down with one of our partners, Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, to learn more about how our Transition2Work program has helped their organization and those participating in community assignments.
Briefly describe your organization’s goals for the community you serve.
Habitat for Humanity’s vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. We build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter. Habitat ReStores are nonprofit home improvement stores that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, and building materials. Our donation and resale centers raise monies to support the Habitat for Humanity’s mission.
How has your experience been with ReEmployAbility’s Transition2Work participants?
ReEmployability has always provided reliable volunteers who have helped in our mission in whatever capacity they could during their recovery. Our most recent volunteer is a Machine Operator for a metal fabrication company. He brings with him specific knowledge of metals and uses his skills to make our recycling output more efficient and profitable, which means more finances towards building and repairing homes in our community! He has also stated that he would like to donate some of his time to our ReStore even after he goes back to work.
Our ReStore is grateful for the workforce that has been afforded to us through ReEmployAbility’s Transition2Work program. They are well organized, reliable and work to make sure that the participants are a good fit for our organization. There is little that our organization has to do to accommodate their participants and it has proven to be a win-win time and again. I would encourage other nonprofit organizations out there to consider working with ReEmployAbility, if contacted.
In your opinion, how does the injured worker benefit from participating in T2W or volunteering in their community?
According to an article from Forbes.com, volunteering has many benefits: giving your time makes you feel like you have more time; utilizing your skills helps you develop new skills; volunteering your body helps you have a healthier body; contributing your experience builds your experience; and offering your love makes you feel more love. If these benefits don’t help someone who is healing and perhaps trying to gain new or improved abilities, I don’t know what will!
What is the most important message that you would like to relay to the readers about your organization?
Habitat for Humanity’s global impact relies on volunteers around the world to make the mission a reality. Every body, every hand, every mouth, every volunteer makes an impact and a difference in someone else’s life.
What is the best way readers can sign up to volunteer?
The best way for people to get involved is to visit Habitat.org to find out how you can volunteer locally or globally. They can also call their local Habitat if they are familiar with one nearby!
