Thank you from Molly

In September 2024, I was with a handful of friends in the HiH driveway upcycling furniture when Ian popped outside. Upon looking at our collection of finished pieces, he asked (mostly in jest) ‘anyone want a job application?’ And I, who had been on a self-imposed sabbatical and was looking for work, said, ‘yes please!’ We chatted, I interviewed, and then a few weeks later, I started that October as a volunteer coordinator.

I've been able to chat with a lot of volunteers in the last couple weeks, but for those of you who don't know, I'm taking a new job opportunity outside of HiH. I'll be working from home, much to the happiness of my cat, in a customer service position for an organization who sells online educational software. Like most changes, one part of me is excited for something new, and the other part is sad to let go of the work I’ve been doing these past two years. But it’s also a privilege to feel that sadness - it tells me I was a part of something really good.

Houses into Homes, as a whole organization, is so lucky to have such a dedicated group of volunteers. And I, as a volunteer coordinator, was lucky to have the opportunity to work so closely with all of you. Which is why I would be remiss if I left without saying thank you to that very group of people.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your lives. I’ve enjoyed getting to know you. I’ve appreciated learning from you and seeing you use your expertise to help our recipients. I’ve been inspired by the example you all set - to see every day what it looks like when someone makes the choice to show up for their community. And I've been inspired by the way your generosity of time doesn’t stop at HiH - in this building there’s always chatter about how you’re helping other organizations that are doing different but important work.

Thank you for welcoming me when I was new and struggling to remember everyone’s names and favorite jobs and shift times. Thank you for sending me off with well wishes and hugs and promises that this isn’t goodbye, but rather a ‘see you later.’

And the cool thing about leaving an organization that relies on volunteers to fulfill its mission is that it’s not really leaving. I’m looking forward to being an HiH volunteer again once the dust settles in my new role. And this time, after seeing all the work and care that goes into this organization, I'll be volunteering with more love and appreciation for the mission than I had even in September 2024.