Howard: In a divided world, connecting locally makes a difference
We’re in some crazy times right now. The world feels so divided — more so if you take a look at social media. It can feel a little hopeless. People are so divided at the national level, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Look locally to be a difference maker — together here at home, we can, and will, make a difference.
We can do so much locally. When the world starts feeling too much, too big, too overwhelming, I try to do something here at home. Small gestures make a world of difference. I love running into Habitat families at the grocery store — we catch up, share what our families are up to and we connect.
That connection is what this — life — is all about. There are a lot of things people don’t agree on, but there is common ground that we can all agree on. At the very base of what nonprofits do is create connection, whether it’s serving a simple supper or providing support to after-school clubs.
How do we show up for each other, for our friends and for our community? When negativity overwhelms us, find a way to make a difference in your community. It’s a grassroots movement: Volunteer to sort food at The Community Market, help build a trail with Vail Valley Mountain Trail Alliance, help at a school or grab a hammer to build a Habitat home.
Of course, I am partial to Habitat Vail Valley. Not only do you get to work with power tools and maybe learn a new skill, but you are integral to helping your friends, neighbors and our workforce stay here. Without our essential workers — you, your friends, your child’s teacher or the nurse at the doctor’s office — we have no community. You can literally build a better life for the important people in our lives.
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On Oct. 2, we will celebrate community and invite you to be part of our 30th anniversary party. In the past 30 years, we built 146 homes in partnership with 529 locals. In this year alone, we have committed to 30 home starts. Get it, 30 homes for 30 years? We’re thrilled to be part of a growing, vibrant community. We have bold plans for the next four years too.
We’re excited to make a bigger impact, and we’re ramping up to do just that. We launched our strategic plan — Building to 200 — at the start of this year and we are making great strides because of this community and our valued partners. Everyone deserves a decent place to live. Now more than ever, we can do this.
We’ve invested $35 million into affordable homeownership and in the next four years, with your help, we will invest $35 million more. This year, we’ve had 589 volunteers give 12,716 hours to building homes with, and for, our community. We need to retain our essential workforce and together we can do this.
Join us to celebrate what we can do when we come together as a community. On Oct. 2, we will celebrate 30 years of building homes and hope at the EagleVail Pavilion. Join us to volunteer to help finish eight homes at Stratton Flats. Learn more about our Building to 200 strategic plan.
Elyse Howard is the vice president of philanthropy and community awareness. She takes pride in being involved in her community from volunteering on several boards to giving time to local schools.
