As an AmeriCorps VISTA Member at Habitat for Humanity Riverside my position as ReStore Development will fill one important, but still missing component of the ReStore, a Donor Program. The Riverside ReStore is vital to furthering Habitat Riverside’s mission to build more homes and serve more families. I am helping the ReStore grow its relationships with donors and connect them to Habitat’s overall mission. What better way to connect prospective Donors than to connect them with me, a Habitat Riverside Partner Family alum. I am able to tell them personally how Habitat Riverside has changed my life, and it wouldn’t be possible without donations made to the Riverside ReStore. Most of my house was built with donated material from the Riverside ReStore, from tile on my floors to the lights bulbs in my fixtures. In turn, these Donors will think to donate to the Riverside ReStore primarily because they feel their donation is making a difference in their community.

My goal this year will be to complete a Donor Program with features of tracking, outreach, marketing, and most importantly a recognition of Donors. Potentially our Donor base population will become more diverse which will produce continual, varied donations that attract more and new customers.

Riverside Neighborhood Conference 2013 -Kristii and I

In my short time here I have been on a couple of offsite community outreach events, which to me are the most fun.  Being out in the community, connecting with people and bring awareness to the ReStore, is so much fun. Also being a bilingual AmeriCorps VISTA Member, I am able to communicate to the Spanish speaking population about Habitat Riverside and the ReStore, which we weren’t able to do before.

Rubidoux Community Resource Fair

The Rubidoux Community Resource Fair event was held in Jurupa Valley, which happens to be the city I live in. Jurupa Valley is a highly populated Hispanic community, which is why my Spanish came in very handy. It was great connecting with the other organizations in the area and getting to know my community.

Daniel, Kristii and Myself

Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a Mexican holiday focusing on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died. Kristii built an altar like a wall frame and hung pictures of staff, supporters and partner families’ loved ones that have passed. This event was well attended by the residents of Riverside and surrounding communities of the Inland Empire.