Introducing Solano!

My name is Solano and I am an AmeriCorps Vista working with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity. I decided to become an AmeriCorps Service Member so I could work closely with people in the communities where they live. I was lucky to be recruited by a team of passionate individuals who dedicate their lives to serving this community.

I am excited to work with Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity where I have been given an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Now more than ever, community means everything and there’s no better time to slow down, listen to our neighbors, and to reach out to and invest in each other and our community. In these difficult times, every gesture of kindness makes a difference and while the stakes are higher than ever before, we’re left with no better choice than to pour our gifts into the communities that we belong to.

We should all feel proud to live in the Iowa City area because here runs an endless stream full of raw talent and pure compassion. This is our treasure, breathing and walking within our community. Our job, then, is to look for any loose ends and tie those knots as close together as we can. Everyone has a unique talent. Everybody is invaluable.

Each morning when we arrive at IVHFH, already the place is bursting with activity: Residents drive in to make donations to ReStore that will soon be purchased and taken away again. Some bring in antique furniture to be restored or repurposed, many drop off surplus construction materials, and they can even dispose of recyclable items on site. At Habitat, we have a dedicated team of builders and a long tradition of AmeriCorps Service Members who get out there every day and go back home feeling a sense of accomplishment. In a way, IVHFH feels like one of the many hubs of our community; a place where people come to be a part of something larger than themselves.
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Myself, I mainly work with the South District in Iowa City. I am in permanent contact with many residents there, but when given the chance, I’ll jump at any opportunity to meet a few more. I make it my job to make contact and to maintain open communication with residents of the South District. I am always eager to meet new people and I want to listen to any stories you want to tell me about your experience of living, working, or going to school in the South District. At Habitat, we value our neighbors and we want to give back to the community. With the help of neighbors like you and our residents/business owners’ expertise about our South District neighborhood, I want to amplify your voices all across this community. If you’d like to reach out, feel free to give me a call at (319) 337-8949 or email me at solano@iowavalleyhabitat.org.

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