Our volunteers play a key role in making housing affordable for our partner families. Whether on the build site, in the ReStores, or supporting families, every action creates an impact.
Jordan, a construction volunteer, has recently found herself becoming more involved in the organization. She has recently joined the Family Support Committee, and her impact across this organization and community has not gone unnoticed.
As a realtor, Jordan has a unique connection to Vermont’s housing crisis. She continues to see the difficulties that potential homeowners face when trying to purchase a home or even finding one that fits their needs on the market.
Q: Why do you volunteer with Habitat for Humanity?
J: I think Habitat is a really amazing program, and it goes hand in hand with my passion for real estate and creating more homeowners. I think having another avenue for people to be able to get into a home is really great because [homeownership] is a barrier for a lot of people. I believe in the mission and the goal, and I want to help.
Buying a house is hard work, but it’s the number one thing you can do to increase your net worth. The median net worth of a renter is about $10,000 versus a homeowner at $396,000, according to a 2024 report from Marketplace.org. So, it is a big deal.
Q: What has been your favorite part of volunteering with us?
J: I think my favorite part is getting outside and learning a little bit more about the tricks of the trade. I feel like I’ve learned a ton from Chris, the Construction Site Supervisor.
Also, getting the chance to be on the Legacy on the Lake Boat Cruise and hearing the story of Nik, a recent partner family, and how they got into the home was just so heartwarming. Knowing that what I do on the job site directly benefits people like that is something I can truly appreciate.
And now that I am on the Family Support Committee, I’ll be helping the families with their applications. Once they are approved, I help to get them set up, I’ll make sure that they get all their sweat equity hours and work with them to make sure that they have a successful experience once they’re selected.
Q: How have you seen Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity contributing to our local communities?
J: I think one of the biggest contributions is creating additional opportunities for homeowners in a really challenging real estate market. To be honest, Vermont is not a cheap state to live in. It’s very, very expensive, so it can make it hard to save and be able to get into a home. I actually found out the other day that the average age of a first-time homeowner is 38 years old compared to last year when it was 35 years old, according to a 2024 report from the National Association of Realtors.
It has become harder and harder and harder to purchase, so I think GMHFH does a really good job not only getting volunteers to help with these projects, but also just providing that opportunity for more Vermonters to become homeowners.
Q: What is one tip you would give someone thinking about volunteering with us?
J: Get out there and do it. You feel good giving back. You get to see the work that you’re putting into it. It’s really cool to drive by a house in Burlington and be like, ‘Hey, I did that! I helped build that porch.’ The work that you’re putting in is also a ton of fun. You’re going to learn a lot. It’s a really great organization and volunteering is an easy thing you can do to increase your network.
Jordan is just one of the amazing volunteers on our volunteer team. We wanted spotlight our volunteers to share their stories and memories to inspire others to join the cause. For more information on volunteering and joining our Family Support Committee, please visit vermonthabitat.org/volunteer to learn more and sign up!
