Connie Smith is ready to go to work on a moment’s notice for Habitat for Humanity.

Smith has been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity for the past two years through the AmeriCorps*VISTA

program. She is on call 24 hours a day. Her duties include being at the Albert Lea office every other day (she is at the Austin office the other days), processing applications and producing the newsletter &045; and she also helps build the houses. She works with another person in the office who is also on the AmeriCorps*VISTA

program.

She became interested in Habitat for Humanity when she learned that the program not only builds houses but also renovates houses. This inspired her to work on renovating her own house. This made Smith want to get involved to make sure other people knew it could be done.

One of Smith’s priorities when she got involved with Habitat for Humanity was to get people in Freeborn County more aware of the organization. This has been done through holding various fundraisers. It also lets families know that Habitat for Humanity might be able to help them.

&uot;They get to know the opportunity in there,&uot; she said. &uot;It changes lives.&uot;

Smith has also been grateful for the skills she has acquired through her work with the organization, she said. She has learned several computer programs that she uses in her work. She has also developed leadership skills that were required in making sure everything runs as smoothly as possible.

&uot;You learn a lot of things you can’t learn in college in two years,&uot; she said.

Smith’s term through AmeriCorps*VISTA ends in mid-August, but she will continue volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. She will continue to produce the groups’ newsletter as well as keeping an up-to-date volunteer list.

If you are interested in volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, call (800) 300-1349 for more information.