Nick Stoughton
Nick is well-deserving of this honor. He volunteers most Saturdays, arrives early to set-up, leads crews throughout the day, and always joins us for socializing afterwards. In addition, Nick volunteers his time on the Homeowner Enrichment Team of the Family Resource Committee, organizing homeowner workshops in home finance and home maintenence, and writing articles for the homeowner newsletter. In addition, he will become a family liaison to one of the new West Oakland partner families. We are extremeley fortunate to have Nick on the Habitat team! Many thanks, Nick, for your service to East Bay Habitat!
What brought you to East Bay Habitat, and when?
I've loved building and construction projects for as long as I can
remember. Once, while I was helping a friend build an extra room, he
said "you know, you should try volunteering at Habitat!" This appealed greatly to me ... a way of getting my construction fix
while giving back to the community that has welcomed me to this country.
I first volunteered in very early 2003... at the Fruitvale site before
it was open to general volunteers (Tamara, the then AmeriCorps volunteer
coordinator, said "well maybe we could fit you in tomorrow if you
like!"). Since then I have worked on the Crockett, Fruitvale and Palm
Court developments.
Describe your involvement with Habitat.
After I settled in as a regular, at least once a week volunteer, I found
myself wanting to help wherever I could, so I joined the Family Resource
Committee, and have recently become a Family Liaison to one of the new
families waiting for approval for Palm Court.
But my main involvement is with a hammer in my hand most of the time!
What motivates you to continue to volunteer with Habitat?
It is an opportunity to really make a difference in people's lives. The
affordable housing crisis is worse in the Bay Area than anywhere else I
have been. I really want to be able to give something back.
Plus, I love working on the site! It is an honor to work alongside the
AmeriCorps and construction staff, and I have learned more in eighteen
months from them than from my previous 40 years of tinkering around the
house.
What have been your most memorable experiences with Habitat, on the job site or otherwise?
Probably the white-water rafting trip we took in early May this year.
Twenty-seven of us went to the South Fork of the Amrican river for a
night's camping and a day's rafting.
If you could be any tool on the construction site what tool would you be?
How about a Skilsaw ... It can cut anything when in the hands of an
expert.
What is your favorite job on site?
Probably framing ... you can really see the fruits of your labor
quickly.
