Volunteer Spotlight: Retiree Finds Purpose and Community with Habitat for Humanity

Gene loves the camaraderie with the crew, fellow volunteers, and Habitat staff. He says, “Curtis, Michael, and Al are great at assessing a person’s skill level and assigning the right task.” He also finds it meaningful to occasionally meet the homeowner while volunteering. “Meeting the family who will live in that house gives you a great sense of purpose.”

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, Gene felt underwhelmed by the job options. Inspired by his college volunteer experiences, including being a “Big Brother” with Big Brothers Big Sisters and joining mission trips to Appalachia with his church, he changed career paths and pursued a master’s in social work. These volunteer experiences were life-changing for Gene.

Gene worked as a psychotherapist at Gundersen for almost 40 years, gaining a unique perspective on mental health and the value of volunteering. One patient told Gene they like to “look backward” at the end of the workday to reflect on their accomplishments. Gene relates this to his Habitat volunteer work, where he can say, “Today, we sheetrocked the ceiling.” He enjoys the pride in his work and the satisfaction of giving back to the community.

As Gene prepared to retire in late 2022, he spent time with his grandkids and considered his volunteer options. “At first, I worried I’d feel intimidated and wouldn’t measure up to others on the Habitat crew,” he said. While not a professional in construction, Gene is handy and active for his age, having done small repairs at home over the years. He calls himself a perfectionist, which he believes makes him a good fit for Habitat. “It’s where my abilities and the community’s needs intersect.”

Volunteering with Habitat is a fun and rewarding way to learn new skills, meet others, and help us achieve our mission. Join Gene and dozens of other volunteers by filling out our volunteer application today.