Gratitude
We’re nearing the completion of this year’s project and as folks begin preparing for the Holidays, I think it’s a good time to reflect on all that brought us here.
Habitat functions because of our amazing volunteers. You all show up and offer your skills on your days off and in all kinds of weather. You are the life blood of this program and we could not do it without you. It’s hard work! But your help makes our community stronger and more resilient. Habitat owes a big thank you to the volunteers!
I admire the passion of our green builders. There’s a community of builders and educators here in this valley who have a lot heart, humor and curiosity when it comes to making good homes. They are hard working, driven people who believe in what they do. I’m more than thrilled that Habitat is moving in the direction of green building. It’s brutally cold in the Gunnison Valley, and it only makes sense to build homes that function well within this climate. Our community has to be creative, with enough intellectual humility to try new things in order to solve some of Gunnison Valley’s unique challenges. I see that spirit in our Habitat program and in the environmentally minded people who live here, I can see the ripple effect it has had on our community and into other communities. I hope we can continue to be an influential force, and I thank the environmentalists for rallying around our mission.
“Find the Helpers”. The folks on our board care about housing, our director cares deeply and works hard. This housing crisis impacts everyone in the valley, it’s a huge problem nation wide, and we need everyone on board to solve this issue. The work Habitat is doing is important work, but we can only do it because of the people who donate, and/or offer services and expertise. Gunnison Valley Supporting affordable housing is supporting a healthier, more resilient community. It benefits everyone. When citizens are able to own their own home, they have more incentive to cultivate a happy and healthy community around them, they become helpers.
I’ve had lots of folks tour my house within the last year or so. They light up and exclaim how lovely it is, how comfortable it feels, and the data we’ve collected shows how wonderfully it performs. I hope it inspires them. Personally I love my darling little house. I remember not that long ago, the devastating feeling of having my rent hiked up for no other reason than, “Well that’s the market”, despite living in an uncomfortably cold and shabby house. I remember wondering how we would manage to stay in Gunnison? I’m still in awe that I get to live in this house. I want this for other people. I’m glad to know that as Habitat builds a neighborhood around me, my neighbors will experience their own lovely homes.
We’re very lucky to have gotten to do this work and get this far. It took a lot of effort, time and determination. But we have good people, and I think we’ll continue to find more good people who believe in our mission if we continue to be brave and work authentically.