Habitat volunteers are the foundation of the work we do. They generously give their time and effort to build both homes and hope in our communities, and what they get in return is just as powerful and rewarding.
Meet Patrick T. Green, who has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 2023. He was drawn to volunteer with us because of his belief that everyone deserves a safe and decent place to live. What he has learned through his experiences and why he keeps coming back reveals the importance of community service and the impact that organizations like Habitat for Humanity can have.
Volunteer Stories: Why Patrick Keeps Coming Back
When you volunteer with Habitat, the work you do is not only rewarding for the homeowners you help, but also deeply meaningful for you. Each volunteer walks away with experiences and memories that stay with them. “Seeing a child in their first house is very moving,” Patrick says. “The idea that I could use my time and hands to directly help someone achieve that was, and still is, incredibly motivating.”
What keeps Patrick coming back to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity year after year? The tangible impact of the work and how it helps people transform their lives. One such example: “seeing families receive their keys in hand, and knowing I was a small part of making that happen,” Patrick says.
Moments He’ll Never Forget
To qualify for a Habitat home, prospective homeowners must demonstrate a willingness to partner with Habitat not only during the homebuilding process but throughout the entire time they own their home. Part of that work involves contributing hundreds of hours of “sweat equity,” helping to build their own homes and others’ homes, volunteering at a Habitat ReStore, or taking classes in personal finance or home maintenance.
For many Habitat volunteers, it’s their encounters with the homeowners they’re helping that stay in their memory. Patrick has one of those volunteer stories. “One moment I’ll never forget was meeting a future homeowner at the ReStore,” he shares. “They were working right alongside me, putting in hours toward their own home, and their gratitude was so genuine it gave me goosebumps.”
Working alongside a future homeowner showed just how Habitat’s homeownership program transforms lives. “It made me realize this wasn’t just about building houses, it was about building hope and stability to their lives.”
Working with Habitat even changed Patrick’s perspective on what home and community mean. “It’s shown me that a home is more than four walls and a roof; it’s a foundation for opportunity, safety, and belonging,” he says. “And a community isn’t just where people live side by side, it’s what happens when people show up for each other, even for those they’ve never met.”
Join Patrick and other Habitat volunteers
When asked what he’d say to someone considering volunteering with Habitat, Patrick’s response is clear: “Do it!!”
He adds that it’s a great way to meet people, gain valuable skills, and experience what people can accomplish when they work together for a great cause. “The work is meaningful, the atmosphere is uplifting, and you leave each day knowing you’ve helped create something that will truly change lives,” he says.
We’re grateful for volunteers like Patrick and hope you’ll join him in supporting our mission. Learn more about volunteering with Habitat – and create your own volunteering stories! Also, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to find out about exciting fundraising events and new opportunities to volunteer with us.
