Mike Colen
Third generation San Franciscan Mike Colen says Katrina was his inspiration to volunteer for Habitat. During a time when hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers were flooding the South, Mike decided to look at what he could do locally. Now retired from a 30-year career in the Marine Corps, Mike has spent nearly two years since Katrina working six days a week for his local affiliate right here in the East Bay.
Mike’s first introduction to Mt. Diablo Habitat was helping to remodel a home in Martinez where he met co-volunteers John Glover, Terry Gleason and Bob Roach. “All four of us were there almost every day,” and they became fast friends. Then one day in March 2006, “Sam [construction site supervisor Sam Charles] asked me to meet him here in Antioch.” Sam was looking into securing the land for development. Not one to mince words, Mike said of the empty lot: “It was a dump!” But he also recognized and appreciated the challenge.
Facing that challenge head-on, Mike worked six day weeks, often in the rain, to lead construction of the first two homes. Six months later Mike joined fellow Habitat volunteers, staff and supporters to witness keys being handed to new homeowners Victor and Elizabeth Gildo along with Vickisha Keys and their respective families.
Today, Mike – who somehow manages to find time to travel and visit with his three children, two step-children and 11 grand-children – is still working six-days a week in anticipation of the dedication of last two homes in late July. Mike’s plea to prospective volunteers is: “Come on over the hill! I need your help!”
