Stories of service

Habitat AmeriCorps

Our AmeriCorps members share about the transformative experience of serving with Habitat AmeriCorps, creating and equipping them as future leaders and affordable housing advocates.

Read stories below or check out our YouTube playlist for more.

How Habitat AmeriCorps influenced these four changemakers

Four Habitat AmeriCorps members from across the country share how their service year has impacted them as they supported our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.

AmeriCorps profile: Yim Yang

AmeriCorps member Yim Yang’s passion for service fuels his future.

AmeriCorps profile: Jarrell Howell

For Jarrell Howell, AmeriCorps became an outlet for leadership skills honed in the U.S. Army.

Jessica holds a drill outside a Habitat home.

Homeowner continues her Habitat journey through AmeriCorps

Jessica wasn’t ready for her time with Habitat for Humanity to end after holding the keys to the house she helped build, so she took the opportunity to continue her Habitat journey through an AmeriCorps VISTA position.

Habitat AmeriCorps member Vanessa Dingee

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Vanessa Dingee

National service has helped Vanessa Dingee flourish and set a lasting example for her young son.

Habitat AmeriCorps member builds “because I can”

As a member of the 2019-2020 AmeriCorps class, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity construction crew leader Dean Williams spends most of his days building. Volunteering has largely been the story of his life — traveling the globe to make use of the random and sometimes eccentric experiences, talents and skills he’s gathered to serve others.

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Diana Youssef

“I was really diligent about finding a job working in community development.”

Habitat AmeriCorps member Colton Shaheen

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Colton Shaheen

After a military career as an aviation officer didn’t happen, Colton Shaheen has found another way to soar.

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: T.J. Burghart

When T.J. graduated from college he faced all of the same questions and opportunities that so many graduates face, but he says he “chose a much more fun route” by serving with AmeriCorps.

Brian Lafferty hammers a nail on a Habitat building site

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Brian Lafferty

“It really meant a lot just to be with like-minded AmeriCorps members... A year of service was the right thing to do.”

Anna Noonan in the Habitat for Humanity office.

AmeriCorps profile: Anna Noonan

After coming across a listing for an AmeriCorps position at Habitat for Humanity International, Anna Noonan felt that she finally had found an outlet where she could both contribute and grow in a meaningful way.

Alaina paints during the 2016 Build-a-thon in Raleigh, NC.

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Alaina D’Anzi

For Alaina, AmeriCorps is a concrete way to prove her commitment to public service.

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Dylan Cahir

“My time in AmeriCorps has really reinforced that helping people is what I want to be doing.”

Habitat AmeriCorps profile: Faustina Ward Osborn

A common theme throughout Faustina Ward Osborn’s life has been her work to improve her community, in the U.S. and in her home country of Guyana.

The true meaning of volunteering and service

While playing in the garage, Steven Yang discovered the signatures of volunteers who helped build his family’s Habitat home, which inspired his dedication to serving his community.

Habitat AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon: 10 years after Katrina and Rita

The 2015 Build-a-Thon celebrates the 20 years of Habitat AmeriCorps and commemorates the 10th anniversary of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in New Orleans.

“The opportunity to serve my country again”

Neal Pointer, veteran and Habitat AmeriCorps member, reflects on his experiences with Habitat for Humanity.

AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon opens doors

The annual AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon event showcases the importance of service and the transformative power of a decent house, like the ones Frankie and Jackie built with Habitat.

Nicole Stanek, AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon, Habitat for Humanity

How does Habitat's Build-a-Thon make an impact?

Habitat AmeriCorps alum and full-time St. Vrain Habitat staffer Nicole Stanek shares her thoughts on our AmeriCorps Build-a-Thon.

Habitat AmeriCorps alumnus Christopher Ciarcia highlights the link between community engagement and civic responsibility.

Can community engagement enhance civic responsibility?

How can community engagement enhance your civic responsibility? A Habitat AmeriCorps alum shares how his alternative break led to a transformational experience.

Habitat AmeriCorps alumna Kelsey Reinke shares how community service changed the course of her career path.

Serving others opens the door to employment opportunities

How can serving others open the door to employment opportunities? Kelsey Reinke shares how serving with Habitat AmeriCorps changed the course of her career path.

The AmeriCorps experience

Learn more about the day-to-day experience of being a Habitat AmeriCorps member.

Benefits of AmeriCorps service

Find out how AmeriCorps members are supported in service and beyond.

Search open AmeriCorps positions

Search for open AmeriCorps positions and learn how to apply.