RTS welcomes new AmeriCorps Member, Tim Erkel

 Tim (L) with his fellow AmeriCorps Member at RT Twin Cities

Last week, Rebuilding Together Seattle welcomed our second AmeriCorps Member, Tim Erkel!  Tim will serve a second year as a Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps Member in Seattle after already serving for a year at Rebuilding Together Twin Cities!  RTS is very excited to have Tim's excellent, hands-on program experience and enthusiasm for the Rebuilding Together mission.

Let's hear from Tim!

How did you first learn about Rebuilding Together?  How did you learn about the Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps (CapacityCorps) opportunity?  Why did you decide to serve?

I first heard about Rebuilding Together through a former teammate of mine who was serving as a CapacityCorps member with Rebuilding Together Twin Cities.  He had to leave CapacityCorps midway through his term in February 2011, and because I was job hunting at the time and they did not have the ability to hire someone to replace him, I offered to volunteer in his stead until I could find work or they could find a replacement.  At first it was only meant to be temporary, but once that first homeowner hugged me I was hooked.  I gladly accepted their CapacityCorps position from August 2012-July 2013 and haven’t looked back since.

Describe your first year of service at Rebuilding Together Twin Cities – what were your primary responsibilities?  What was one of your favorite memories during your time there (ex: a particular project with a homeowner)?

At Rebuilding Together Twin Cities I was one of three CapacityCorps members, all of who were Project Coordinators.  I would preview potential houses, develop work scopes for selected homeowners, procure materials, and lead volunteers on project days.  Something that I cherished about Twin Cities is the bond that I had with my fellow CapacityCorps members, Brent and Kelly (pictured above sitting in the truck with me).  We got so close over the course of the year and have countless stories shared between us of the wonderful homeowners we were privileged to serve.

 

What influenced your decision to serve a second year?  What interested in you in RT Seattle?

I think I wanted to do a second term the minute orientation ended my first year.  As my term in Twin Cities went on, I realized that I wanted to do a second term elsewhere to  expand my Rebuilding Together skill set and experience a different operational style to challenge myself to grow in a way that I wouldn't have, if I stayed in the Twin Cities where I was comfortable.  I was interested in Seattle because I met Executive Director, Margie Thirlby, and former Program Associate, Claire Oatey, at National Conference and immediately was drawn to the passion and direction that they made clear during their breakout session.  I’m tremendously excited to serve in such a vibrant, historic city with a rising affiliate!

What are you looking forward to the most during your year of service in Seattle?

I grew up and lived the vast majority of my life in the same 30 mile radius of the Twin Cities, so I am definitely looking forward to learning more about Seattle the city, what it has to offer me, and what I have to offer it.  I’m very much looking forward to serving with the RTS Staff who have been nothing but welcoming and kind in my transition here.  And most importantly, I’m looking forward to serving our homeowners.

 

Tell us a bit about yourself – what do you enjoy doing outside of work?

I’m a HUGE Minnesota Twins fan as well as a Denver Broncos fan.  I love going to live shows and discovering new bands to listen to; I’ve already got two shows I’d like to attend in the next month.  I can’t wait to discover all the little hole in the wall places Seattle has, as well as take advantage of the prodigious outdoor culture that exists here.

Thank you, Tim, for your service and incredible dedication to the Rebuilding Together affiliate network.  We are so excited to have you in Seattle (especially so you can become a Seahawks fan :).

RTS thanks Jeni Goeke for serving as our first AmeriCorps Member!

 

Jeni (R) at The Home Depot Veterans Rebuilding Day (June 13, 2013)

Today, Jeni Goeke, Rebuilding Together Seattle's first AmeriCorps Member, will complete her last day of service at our organization.  Jeni was welcome to RTS in August, and spent the past 10 months completing key rebuilding days, conducting veterans outreach work, and managing the RTS Youth Program.  Jeni did an outstanding job with her role, and enabled RTS to help over 90 families this year, compared to 63 families the previous year. 

 Jeni (L) working away at an AmeriCorps service project!

What RTS has to say about Jeni:

"Jeni has accomplished a lot this past year.  Her greatest accomplishments include restructuring the Youth Program, managing 16 of our 26 homes for National Rebuilding Day, and strengthening our Veterans program. For Jeni’s service project, she revamped the Youth Program so that the structure is more realistic and sustainable moving forward. Over 550 hours of service were logged by our Youth Program volunteers this year. As for NRD, Jeni took on the huge task of managing 16 home repair projects while working with approximately 30 Project Leaders from the various sponsoring organizations.  This required a tremendous amount of organization and attention to detail in order to carry out successful projects.  Jeni also took it upon herself to strengthen our Veterans program.  She conducted outreach throughout the year with veteran organizations which has lead to greater visibility and notoriety for RTS in the veteran service provider community.  During outreach meetings, Jeni asked strategic questions about veteran culture to learn how we can better reach and communicate with veterans in need of our services.  She was also a part of the decision to change (increase) our income requirements for veterans and their families with the hope that we will be able to serve more veterans every year.   

Other successes include Jeni’s involvement with the creation of a post-project survey for clients, a restructuring of our site preview process, and the creation of a RTS AmeriCorps packet that can be passed on and revised to help train our new members each year.  Jeni was a highly efficient member of our team who was very skilled at managing multiple projects simultaneously and ensuring that her work was complete.  She was always willing to roll up her sleeves and help her colleagues when needed. We will miss these great assets that she brought to our team!" 

-Claire Oatey, AmeriCorps Site Supervisor (former Program Associate)

What was your favorite thing about serving as an AmeriCorps Member for Rebuilding Together (CapacityCorps)? 

Serving as an AmeriCorps Member with Rebuilding Together National was a very special experience. To know that I have fellow service members all over the country was very motivating. I have made valuable relationships with my fellow CapacityCorps members and it’s nice to know that I will have friends almost anywhere I go.

What I love about Rebuilding Together is the meeting of two people that, in any other context, might never meet. Through Rebuilding Together, not only do they get to meet, but usually they both impact each other’s lives in ways that they never saw coming, and I just think that’s amazing.

 

Jeni (C) with RTS Youth Program members

What Jeni has to say about RTS:

What was your favorite memory during your time at Rebuilding Together Seattle?

It’s hard to pick just one favorite memory from my time at RTS but one of them was Spring Rebuilding Day (April 27th).  I was only able to visit about 7 or 8 of the 28 projects that were taking place and I was amazed by all the volunteers I saw working, and working happily! I remember stepping back and realizing that the volunteers I saw were just a small portion of the people that were selflessly serving that day. I still feel humbled by the number of volunteers all over the city of Seattle that were willing to dedicate their free day to helping someone else. Whenever I think back to that feeling, I can’t help but smile.

What did you like the most about working at RTS?  What will you miss the most?

The RTS community (Staff, Board, Donors, Volunteers, etc.) is one of the best ones I’ve ever had the privilege of stepping into. I have felt welcomed, supported and valued since my 1^st hour of service to my 1700^th hour, and I know it won’t stop here. Everyone in the RTS community is deeply passionate about what they do and why they do it. They are a family that works together, mourns together and laughs together and it has been my honor to be a part of it for this short time. I will miss you all much more than you know.

Where are you headed next?  What plans are in your horizon, and what are your hopes for your future career endeavors? 

My next chapter in life calls me back to my home state of Minnesota where I will be marrying my amazing fiancé, Nathan, in just 3 short months. At this point, I don’t have a job lined up but I am hoping to work in a church or ministry near Minneapolis/St. Paul. Wherever my career path takes me, I feel like Rebuilding Together Seattle was the perfect spring board to launch me towards my dreams with new confidence and skills.

 

Jeni (C) with the RTS Young Professionals Society (YPS)

Congratulations, Jeni!  Thank you for all your contributions to RTS.  We wish you the best of luck on your future endeavors!

THANK YOU TO OUR AMERICORPS SPONSOR!
RTS sends a big thanks to Mary and Tom Herche for serving as the Sponsor of our first AmeriCorps Member this year.  To learn how you can increase the program capacity of Rebuilding Together Seattle by sponsoring an AmeriCorps member, please email mthirlby@rtseattle.org.

More Photos from WA Conservation Corps

Check out these great before and after photos from the WA Conservation Corps project last week!

Before                                                    After

  Before                                                    After

 Before                                                    After

 Before                                                    After

 Before                                                    After

 Before                                                    After

Before                                                    After

Thanks again for all your great work, Wade, Olivia, Chloe, Kerry and Bryan!

WA Conservation Corps Helps Out RTS Homeowners

RTS was very excited to have members of the WA Conservation Corps working at two sites on Tuesday and Wednesday, doing what they do best- clearing out invasive species and cleaning up green space!!

The WCC team! Olivia, Chloe, Kerry, Wade, and Brian

Two RTS homeowners were in desparate need of some help on their property.  Contrary to what you might think, unchecked growth of bushes and trees in a persons' yard can lead to safety hazards and compromised health of the home.  Both homes had trees hanging over their roofs and in powerlines, and both needed clearing of pathways leading to and from the entryways to their homes.  The team took care of these projects and so much more! 

Brian describing the action plan for this crazy bush

Olivia at work

Assessing the remaining projects

Chloe getting serious

Thank you, WCC!!

(stay tuned for some amazing before and after photos!)

Introducing Jeni Goeke (RTS 2012-2013 AmeriCorps Member)!

 

Rebuilding Together Seattle (RTS) is thrilled to welcome Jeni Goeke to our organization!  Jeni began her service as an AmeriCorps Member (CapacityCorps) at our affiliate on August 15th and will serve for a full year at RTS!   RTS is grateful for Jeni's commitment to serve our organization and the Rebuilding Together network as a whole.

Let's hear from Jeni!

1. For our supporters who might not be familiar, what is AmeriCorps? What is CapacityCorps?  

AmeriCorps is a program started by the U.S. federal government and is a division of the Corporation for National and Community Service.  One of the branches of AmeriCorps is AmeriCorps State and National, which provides grants to local and national organizations and agencies to assist them in recruiting, training and placing AmeriCorps members with their organization to meet community needs.  CapacityCorps is Rebuilding Together’s program of AmeriCorps members that serve at the different affiliates all over the country.  CapacityCorps is directed by a team of people that are based at the National Office in D.C.  AmeriCorps members serve in different non-profits in exchange for a modest living stipend, an excellent experience in a nonprofit, and assistance with educational expenses and/or loans.

2. Why did you decide to pursue AmeriCorps?

I decided to pursue AmeriCorps because I knew it would be a great way to get experience serving with a non-profit, which is where I see myself working.  I’m also excited by the education grant that I will receive to help pay back my student loans.  Mostly, I knew it would be a new challenge for me where I would not only grow professionally but also personally. 

3. How did you first learn about Rebuilding Together?

I am an avid HGTV fan and I actually heard about Rebuilding Together years ago on a commercial on HGTV and I thought it sounded really cool.  Then, as I was looking at different AmeriCorps positions last Spring I saw that Rebuilding Together had an opening and I applied immediately!

 

4. Why did you want to relocate to Seattle?

Interestingly, if you had asked me 6 months ago, I would have told you that I had no intention of moving away from Minnesota.  When I applied with Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps, I had to choose my top three location preferences and I chose Seattle as one of my three.  I’d never even visited Seattle until I moved out here in August but ever since I was little, this city held a special place in my heart for some reason.  When I was offered this position, I took all the hints, threw caution to the wind and told Margie I was ready for the adventure.

Why do you believe in the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle?

I believe in the mission of Rebuilding Together Seattle because I feel like it is important to serve those who are less fortunate.  I believe everyone deserves to have a safe and comfortable place to live and the opportunity to share their story.  I love that Rebuilding Together Seattle gets to know the homeowners they are serving on a personal level and treats each person with dignity.

What are you most looking forward to during your year of service with Rebuilding Together Seattle?  What programs, opportunities, or initiatives interest you the most?

I’m really looking forward to growing in more ways than I can foresee right now.  I know serving with AmeriCorps and Rebuilding Together will bring many opportunities and challenges that I will be able to learn from.  I’m excited that I will be able to have my hands in a number of the different programs that RTS has.  Part of my position will be helping to expand the Veterans Program.  Many people that I’m close to have served in the military so veterans hold a very special place in my heart and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to serve them back.

  

Tell us a bit about yourself – how do you like to spend your time outside of work?

Outside of work, one of my favorite things to do is puzzles.  I could spend hours on a good puzzle.  I also really enjoy reading and being involved with different things at church.  I love eating, but I don’t like cooking, and lately I’ve been dabbling in some painting and drawing (no pun intended).  And of course, I still love watching HGTV.

Thank you, Jeni! We're so happy to have you on our team!

SUPPORT AN AMERICORPS MEMBER AT RTS!

Rebuilding Together Seattle thanks our 2012-2013 AmeriCorps Member Sponsor for enabling Jeni to serve at our organization and expand our programs to help more homeowners in need of essential home repairs.  If you or your company is interested in serving as an AmeriCorps Sponsor next year, please email mthirlby@rtseattle.org for more information.

Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps Program Enters Fifth Year WASHINGTON, DC - August 21, 2012 - Rebuilding Together, the nation's leading nonprofit working to preserve affordable homeownership, was awarded a grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) to continue the AmeriCorps program Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps. Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps is a National*Direct AmeriCorps program with 65 full-time members serving in 35 local affiliates in 19 states. Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members build the capacity of grassroots Rebuilding Together programs so that they become sustainable, effective and efficient in helping additional low-income homeowners in need. As developing housing preservation leaders, these AmeriCorps members serve essential roles in building the capacity of their host sites in areas such as recruiting and managing volunteers, performing direct home repairs, building community partnerships, and creating new programs. The 2012-13 CapacityCorps program marks the fifth consecutive year Rebuilding Together has received AmeriCorps Funding. Through the support of CNCS over the past five years, Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members have helped repair over 14,000 low-income homes with the support of 56,000 volunteers. "I have gained a new understanding of the housing difficulties in our country, but also of the solutions we can provide for these issues," said Chloe Morel, two term AmeriCorps member at Rebuilding Together Silicon Valley. "To me, CapacityCorps is a life-changing experience in itself. I have connected with other AmeriCorps members, who I am confident will be the next generation of housing leaders." August 15, 2012 marks the first day of service for Rebuilding Together AmeriCorps members at their local affiliates. They will serve more than 1,600 homeowners this year by providing critical repairs and modifications to returning and disabled veterans, low-income families in need, and older Americans needing assistance with aging in place. To learn more about Rebuilding Together CapacityCorps program, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org/capacitycorps ABOUT REBUILDING TOGETHER Rebuilding Together is the nation's leading nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing extensive rehabilitation and modification services to those in need at no cost to those served.  With the help of everyday citizen volunteers, skilled tradespeople, the support of local business and major corporate partners, Rebuilding Together affiliates in America's largest cities and smallest towns make life considerably better for thousands of low-income homeowners and the communities in which they live by completing 10,000 projects per year. Rebuilding Together has programs dedicated to, energy efficiency, veteran's housing, and aging in place and gulf coast reconstruction.   For more information, visit www.RebuildingTogether.org. You can also follow Rebuilding Together on Twitter @rebldgtogthr or become a fan on Facebook at Facebook.com/RebuildingTogether.  Media Contact: BCarter@rebuildingtogether.org (202) 518-3500. ### Stay tuned for a blog feature announcing Rebuilding Together Seattle's AmeriCorps Member, Jeni Goeke!