Meet Jake, a member of the Projects Team and a first-year Extreme Teams member. Jake first joined Extreme Community Makeover as an individual volunteer through a workplace volunteer opportunity, and quickly discovered that Extreme Community Makeover was a perfect fit for him. He enjoys hands-on work, being outdoors, and most of all, serving the neighborhoods he calls home.
How did you first get involved in Extreme Community Makeover?
I originally found ECM through a volunteer opportunity at work. I liked that it was hands-on, outdoors, and directly connected to the neighborhoods where I live. I live in Ruby Hill, so many of the places we work are just minutes from my home. It’s meaningful to serve people who are literally my neighbors and know that I might drive by years from now and remember the work we did there.
Can you tell us about something memorable you’ve experienced during a Work Day?
Every Work Day is different, and you never really know what you’re going to encounter until you get your hands on the project. One experience that stood out to me was working with a resident who had very specific ideas about what she wanted removed and what she wanted to keep. It reminded me that what may look like a pile of stuff to a volunteer can have a story or meaning behind it for the person who owns it. It was a good reminder to see the person and the story behind the project.
Do you have a favorite story about connecting with a community partner, resident, or other volunteer?
I wouldn’t say I have one favorite story. What I appreciate most is meeting different people at every Work Day. There are veteran volunteers, first-time volunteers, team members, and staff, but everyone shows up with the same purpose: to do something good in one small part of one neighborhood. It’s pretty cool to see how many people connect with that mission.
How do you see Extreme Teams making an impact during Work Days?
Being on the Projects Team, the impact is very visible. We can see what a site looks like when we arrive in the morning and then see the transformation by the end of the day. There’s a lot of immediate satisfaction in seeing a full dumpster and knowing that everyone on site contributed to that result.
Why do you think it’s important to volunteer?
I think it’s important to volunteer because there will always be opportunities to make someone’s life better. If you have the time and resources to give, even something as simple as spending a Saturday volunteering can make a meaningful difference in someone else’s life. You never know when you might be the person who needs someone to reach out and lend a hand.
Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Extreme Community Makeover is always looking for more people, visibility, awareness, and partners. I hope to see more people who feel inspired or have the capacity to get involved at a Work Day sometime.
Congratulations Jake!
Congratulations to Jake for being ECM’s Extreme Teams Volunteer of the Month for November! Learn more about how you can also get involved in the Extreme Teams. Check back in December to see who Jake nominated to be the next Volunteer of the Month!