Sherri Elinson and Barbara Szudy
Sherri and Barbara met while attending their first Family Selection Committee meeting. They have since become Co-Chairs of the committee, and fast friends.
How did you first get involved with Habitat for Humanity East Bay?
Sherri:
I used to live in Livermore where I attended Asbury United Methodist Church. On a number of occasions I worked on build sites in Oakland with fellow church members. I loved working the high spots and thrived on swinging from the rafters and swinging a hammer! Then, when Habitat started planning a build site in Livermore, I had opportunity to attend city planning meetings and to speak out in favor of Habitat, to the community. This was a good learning experience for me because alas, tendonitis prevents me from swinging a hammer these days. But I learned during those city planning meetings, that there is a lot of behind the scenes work involved with every Habitat project. When I moved to Oakland and was looking for a way to get involved with my community, it occurred to me that perhaps Habitat would have something I could do that didn't involve a hammer.
Barbara: I retired from my job as a manager of real estate development at the Port of Oakland in March 2005, and spent the next three months having lunch with friends, going for walks, reading all the books I had put aside, and generally enjoying life. After I got that out of my system, I started thinking about volunteer opportunities. My copy of the Habitat newsletter appeared in the mail, and I noticed that they were looking for volunteers for the Family Selection Committee for the Livermore project. I had always been impressed with Habitat's accomplishments, and called to find out more. When they told me they had a project coming up in Oakland, I jumped at it.
What motivates you to continue volunteering with Habitat?
Sherri: There is so much need out there. I think it's important to be part of something that can make a positive difference to others. Most of us are willing to work hard to better our own circumstances. But I think that it's important to do something for others too. So really, it's a selfish act on my part. I sleep better at night knowing that I'm doing something to make a difference for others. Also, I get to meet wonderful people who share my values.
Barbara: The first night that I showed up for a meeting with the Family Selection Committee, I got lost trying to find my way into the building. I saw another person wandering around in the dark, and asked if she were trying to find the meeting as well. That person was Sherri Elinson, and we not only found our way into the building, we found a friendship as well. I think Sherri is one of the people who keeps me going. The other motivations are the staff we work with:
Coire, Tim and Beth. They have boundless energy, really believe in the program, and their commitment to making it work keeps me coming back.
Tell us about the Family Selection Committee.
Sherri: The FSC does a lot of the paperwork involved with checking applicants’ eligibility for a Habitat home. We need to check to see if their income matches Habitat's and the City's requirements. We check credit histories and other legal documents in an effort to find the best candidates for Habitat homes. It can be really be exciting. My co-chair Barb put it well. She said, "It's like reading a mystery novel." The deeper you get into an applicant's file, the more it reveals. Sometimes you start to see a picture of how good, solid people have had some bad luck. And, you think, "maybe we can help get these folk back on track and give them back a little self respect. It's fun figuring out the mystery. As to why I decided to become co-chair, it's like I said before, I meet such wonderful people. Last year when we worked on the FSC, Barbara was already fast becoming one of my best friends. When we were each approached with the possibility of being chairpersons, we each independently thought to ourselves, "I'd do it if she'd do it with me."
Barbara: Sherri did a great job of covering what we do in the FSC. We had only been through one round of family selections for the Edes project when the co-chair opportunity came up. We are surrounded by really competent people on the committee, and that makes for good lively discussions.
"I really believe in Oakland, and that the way to revitalize our neighborhoods is to bring in families who believe in Oakland as well." - Barbara Szudy
How does the mission and philosophy of Habitat fit in your own life values?
Sherri: I really love the concept of "building sustainable living and revitalizing neighborhoods." This is so much bigger than just helping someone to own a home, that wouldn't otherwise be able to. Habitat is really vested in the concept of helping people to help themselves and to help their communities. We look for people that are willing to work at improving the neighborhood they move into. So, if all goes well, I will have helped a family to own their own home, and they in turn will help to improve their neighborhood. Maybe they'll start a community watch program or start an after school project. This in turn will help others and perhaps inspire them to give back to their neighbors and neighborhoods. We hope to start a domino effect. Isn't this what "love thy neighbor" is really all about?
Barbara: I really believe in Oakland, and that the way to revitalize our neighborhoods is to bring in families who believe in Oakland as well. This program asks for a commitment from families: from filling out the application and telling us their stories in the interview, putting in those hours of sweat equity, and finally moving into a home that they can finally call their own. When you look at the faces of the families
that have accomplished a miracle, it's thrilling.
What are your plans with us in the future?
Sherri: Well, for now I'm just thinking of continuing with the FSC. However, I have thought of becoming a Family Liaison at some time in the future. This would be an opportunity to work closely with one Habitat family. Really, getting to know the families during the home interview process is the most fun part of working with the FSC, so, this seems like it would be a very fulfilling volunteer opportunity.
Barbara: I want to continue with the FSC and inspire new volunteers to join us. We have a wonderful new computer program that makes the application review process a breeze, and we've learned that working in teams really makes for a fun evening. I'm around for the long term.
Tell us about yourself. Besides volunteering with Habitat what else do you do with your time?
Sherri: Well, I work full time as an administrative assistant. And, I dream full time of being retired. If I could retire I'd spend more time volunteering and pursuing other loves. Loves such as reading, hiking, camping, and travel. Sometimes I dream of living overseas for an extended time, maybe in England, Ireland or Italy. It might be a little scary at first and I think that's part of what I like about the idea. I enjoy stretching myself by doing things that are a little outside my comfort level. It used to be swinging from the rafters of a Habitat build site or bungee jumping or parachuting - daredevil stuff. Now I'm a little older and prefer to stretch myself in other ways.
Barbara: Since I've retired, I've done a lot of traveling, and am off to Rome in September with a friend who's apartment hunting. Can't wait to see the inside of all those fabulous places! I've collected art for years, and am taking a class where we visit galleries on Saturdays, and then get to talk about what we've seen. I've also decided to stretch a little, and am taking my second acrylic painting class through the Richmond Art Center. It's terrifying and energizing at the same time. I've given up on a second career as a jazz singer, but hope to join a chorus in the fall. And I've become addicted to the New York Times now that I have time to read it. Volunteering at Children's Hospital in the Playroom once a week gives me a chance to hang out with babies, and I love that.
