Bob Hoffman
December’s featured volunteer is Bob Hoffman, one of EBH's newly elected Board Members! Bob leads his congregation, Asbury United Methodist Church, as one of our most committed Covenant Congregations. Bob and other members of Asbury UMC support EBH through volunteerism, financial contributions, donating space for monthly tours, and by praying for the mission of the organization. As part of the Tri-Valley Interfaith Partnership, Bob and Asbury UMC’s support has helped to make the Livermore Development a reality. When Bob isn't helping EBH or working with his faith group, he is busy as Director of Instrument Technology for a biomedical company. A major clinical application of these systems is monitoring the diseases status of HIV/AIDS patients abroad. Besides working and volunteering Bob likes to garden and hike.
How did you first get involved with East Bay Habitat?
I started working on EBH projects at the 1996 Build-A-Thon on 105th Ave in Oakland, and started organizing volunteer groups on a regular basis from my church, Asbury United Methodist, in 1997.
In the past 8 years, groups from Asbury UMC have worked on 8 different EBH projects (105th Ave Oakland, Alameda, 82nd Ave Oakland, Fremont, Fruitvale Ave Oakland, Crockett, West Oakland and Livermore). I estimate Asbury has brought over 100 different people to work on the projects during this time. Many of those 100-plus people are regular volunteers. Some were youth who have continued to volunteer for Habitat and other groups as adults. We just started working on the Livermore project, and it is nice to be working "at home" for a change.
Through his involvement with EBH, Bob has delved deeper into issues of affordable housing...
My work with EBH has led to broader involvement in affordable housing issues. I'm on the board of the Tri-Valley Interfaith Poverty Forum, which provides education and advocacy for issues around affordable housing for low-income people. I was one of a group of several Poverty Forum members who contacted the city of Livermore about starting a Habitat project there. Poverty Forum members had a significant role in continuing to advocate for the project at the many public meetings as the project developed. Being a part of the effort to bring the Habitat project to Livermore is one of the most satisfying things I've done. I am also on the board of Interfaith Housing in Livermore, which has developed and now directs the management of three HUD-sponsored projects that provide over 200 units for low-income seniors. 
How does your faith impact your service to this organization?
Part of my faith requires putting into action the Christian call to help the needy.
What is your current role and level of involvement with us?
I am still organizing groups from Asbury UMC for EBHFH projects. In October, I was elected to the EBH Board of Directors. It is too early to know what roles I'll be working in as a board member, but for each board member it is much more than just attending board meetings.
What motivates you to continue with East Bay Habitat?
The success of the program and the community involvement it generates. The impact of Habitat goes beyond the important action of building houses and working with partner families. Habitat is a great model for how individuals can work together and with local governments to build better communities.
What have been your most memorable experiences?
The most memorable experiences related to Habitat are many: several Build-A-Thons, a 1-week blitz build of a house in Santa Rosa as part of a United Methodist Jubilee gathering, seeing Millard Fuller at the Santa Rosa blitz build, the homeowners comments at the dedication of the Oakland 105th Avenue project and the ground breaking of the Livermore project.
What are your future projects or goals at EBH?
I want to do whatever I can to make the Livermore EBH project a success. As a new board member, it is too early to think about individual goals. I'll be looking for ways to help EBH reach their goal of building 50 homes per year!
Finally, if you could be any tool on the construction site what tool would you be?
I think I would be a cats paw, because it fixes little mistakes and makes sure the job is done right.
