In this series, we highlight those working in the Veteran and Military communities to help make reintegration and life a little better for everyone. We wanted to ask some of the common questions about how they got to where they are and how they inspire others to do more.
Interviewer: Stacey Ebert, Veteran Support Network
Organization: Rebuilding Together, Inc.
Title: Program/Training Consultant
Why Veterans? In all honesty, upon discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1981, I wasn't looking to be involved with veterans in particular. Life just went on and in 2006, as a General Contractor, I fell into a volunteer day with Rebuilding Together South Sound in Tacoma, Washington. After getting more involved with the organization and learning about the mission of RT, which includes services to those who have served us, I truly began to understand the lack of help and services available for veterans. That learning opened up a whole new chapter in my life. Today I not only get to assist my brother/sister vets with critical home repairs and home modifications for their new needs, I find that I get to advocate for us as a community to hopefully offer greater opportunities to assist veterans and their families as they transition to civilian life. I thought that going from military to civilian life was easy peasy. Only years later did I really understand my lack of understanding. I had no idea of how to access benefits available to me or even WHAT benefits were available.
What got you interested in this organization? I fell into Rebuilding Together with an invite from a board member with whom I did business. He was involved with the organization and invited me out to a "thing". I showed up to help and wound up leading 80 bankers to remodel a kitchen and bathroom (among other things) on a National Rebuilding Day. 12 hours later, it's done and I am standing there with my jaw open thinking, "you've got to be kidding me". I had to have more! As a quality (and reasonably priced) contractor, I had always noticed that when it came time to discuss price with a client, their body language responded far faster than their words. You could sense the despair when you told someone they needed a new roof for $8,000.00 or a new water heater for $1,200.00. You saw their shoulders sag, face droop, and the embarrassment at not wanting to say, "we can't afford it". Instead, you heard, "We'll get back to you". With RT I saw a way I could help and maybe make a small difference in my community and hopefully someone's life.
What's your favorite thing about working in this field? Making a difference is without question, my favorite part and the hugs received are a bonus. When I get to tell a homeowner/client, yes, we are going to give you that new roof to keep your family dry and a new water heater for you to have a hot shower and wash your dishes – that’s it. I love seeing the lightbulb of understanding in a volunteer’s eyes, and the smile of confidence when they put to work a new skill we've taught them. I'll never get over seeing a homeowner cry true tears of joy on a volunteer's or my shoulder after their home is touched with love, care, and respect. And I just plain love [Re]building! I feel I’ve been blessed with a talent and an ability, and I’m honored and humbled that I get to use them to serve my fellow human beings.
How has community service involvement impacted your life? At 54 years old, community service involvement has led to a career change. I continued volunteering, and after a week of volunteering directly after Hurricane Sandy, I wound up as an employee of RTNYC. That position saw me go back to Seattle to close my 13 year old business and take a 6 month, temporary position as RTNYC’s Director of Construction – 6 months turned into 7 years. That event and time in NYC, offered me the opportunity to move into my current position as an independent consultant for the national office and 120 strong affiliate network. I now travel the country training staff, board members, AmeriCorps members, and volunteers. I have the best job!! So to say community service has impacted my life, would be one of the world’s greatest understatements! As I like to tell folks...be careful for what you volunteer! (wink, wink)
Why should veterans and families use these services? As a nationwide network that understands the needs and struggles of a large part of our veteran community, we are a valuable resource, not only for home repair and modification, but to VFW and American Legion posts. We also, oftentimes, have access to information or partnerships with other organizations that have the ability to layer benefits/resources for a family in need.
What, in your opinion, is the most important thing soon-to-be-Veterans and their families should consider before leaving military service? Get your house in order. Meet with your local VA and get a caseworker – start the ball rolling. Know your benefits, and start looking for organizations like Pathfinder, The Mission Continues, Team Red/White & Blue, Rebuilding Together, and Team Rubicon. Be ready for separation anxiety – the military life, especially depending on your length of service, handles a lot of your business, and tells you where and when to be somewhere. Line up EVERY resource available to you, and always reach out when in need!
Anything else you would like us to know about you, your past experiences, or advice for veterans? Stay involved, get out there, and hang with people who have been there! Most of all, enjoy the benefits of your service to your country!
Why this person? With a heart of gold, Terry is a fierce force for rebuilding, recovery, and kindness. He can teach anyone to swing a hammer, make the people he's talking to feel like they're the only ones in the room, and can take an army of novices and turn them into volunteer contractors for the day. When Terry shows up, you know you're going to learn something new, change a family's life, and stay as long as necessary to tackle whatever task is on hand. Terry exudes joy and does far more than rebuild homes – he rebuilds lives, one hammer, one hug at a time.