Dorothy and her grandchild are new to the neighborhood. She purchased the home in less than ideal condition. She had intended to repair and landscape the home after purchasing it but living on a fixed income, she was unable to complete some of the projects she had intended to do. Thanks to three hardworking groups that teamed up on January 30th, her home now has a completely different look, with a fresh coat of paint and a landscaped yard.
Volunteers from the Employment Development Department (EDD), International Association of Workforce Professionals(IAWP), and UCR Sigma Pi Alpha arrived to find a home with weathered and chipped turquoise paint and a barren lawn. They broke into teams, assigned roles, and picked up their ladders, Valspar paint, brushes and rollers, and landscaping materials and went to work.
This was the first time EDD and IAWP had volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Riverside. For most of them it was the first time they had ever painted a house! Thankfully, the UCR Sigma Pi Alpha students are regular volunteers with our A Brush with Kindness (ABWK) program and were able to take the lead. Most volunteers took on the task of painting, while a few spread rock in the front and side yards.
Volunteering with Habitat for Humanity Riverside can be a challenge! One volunteer noted after painting a particularly difficult area that he was “skipping the gym today because painting is a workout in itself.” Daniel, our ABWK Project Manager agreed, “working for Habitat and doing ABWKs is my gym time!” Volunteering with us can be a workout for your body, and your heart!
The transformation of this house in just a few hours was incredible! Dorothy was completely amazed. She exclaimed “Thank you everyone. I really hope I do not drive past my house because I might not recognize it!” Thank you EDD, IAWP, and UCR Sigma Pi Alpha for your time and hard work.
